IPC International Patent Classification Basics IPC Section World
IPC - International Patent Classification Basics IPC Section, World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) October 2014
Basics of the IPC This presentation contains: ü Elements of the IPC scheme: § Symbols, Titles, Hierarchy § Other elements of IPC scheme (References, Notes, etc. ) ü Some terminology: § Scope of IPC group 2
IPC hierarchical structure Tree-like hierarchy Sections 8 Subclass Groups Class 129 Class Subclass 638 Subclass Groups Subclass Groups 71, 437 3
Symbols and Titles ü Each IPC place/entry (section, class, subclass, group) is characterized by Symbol and Title. Symbol = succession of upper case letters and numbers Title = phrase describing the technical content (scope) Example: Section A Class A 47 Subclass A 47 H Group A 47 H 1/00 Human Necessities Furniture; Domestic articles … Furnishings for windows or doors Curtain suspension devices 4
Symbols and Titles Symbols Titles 5
Section ü Hierarchical top level: 8 Sections 6
Class = Second hierarchical level under the section Class symbol = Section symbol followed by two digits Class Title gives a broad indication of the content of the class Example: Section A HUMAN NECESSITIES Class A 21 A 22 A 01 AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL; BAKING; EQUIPMENT FOR MAKING … BUTCHERING; MEAT TREATMENT; … 7
Subclass Symbol = Class symbol followed by a letter Subclass Title indicates the content as precisely as possible. Example: Class A 47 FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL Subclass A 47 B Tables; Desks; Office furniture; Cabinets; Drawers; General details of furniture A 47 C Chairs; Sofas; Beds A 47 D Furniture specially adapted for children Titles may consist of several words/phrases separated by semicolons, representing related areas of technology which have been grouped together. 8
Main groups and Subgroups Group symbol = Subclass symbol followed by one to three digits + "/" + two to six digits Example: A 01 K 31/00 Housing birds A 01 K 31/02 A 01 K 31/04 A 01 K 31/06 A 01 K 31/07 A 01 K 31/08 Main group (XX/00) • Door appliances; Automatic door-openers • Dropping-boards; Devices for removing excrement • • Cages • • Transportable cages • • Collapsible cages Subgroups (XX/yy) 9
Main groups and Subgroups ü Two types of groups: Main groups Subgroups of main groups A 23 G 9/00 . . . Main group xxx/00 xxx= 1 to 999 A 23 G 9/02 . . . Subgroup xxx/yy (yy ≠ 00) xxx/yyyyyy 10
Complete Symbol A 23 G 9/02 ü Complete symbol; consists of different components A . . . Section (A, B, . . . H) A 23 . . . Class (+any 2 digits) A 23 G. . . Subclass (+any letter) A 23 G 9/02 Main group part . . . Group Subgroup part 11
Hierarchical Structure of Groups ü Hierarchical level of groups indicated by number of dots (indentation level) not by the group symbol 1/00 T 1/02 1/04 1/06 1/08 1/10 1/12 • T 1 • • T 2 • • • T 3 • T 4 • T 5 • • T 6 ü Group 1/12 (2 -dot group) should be a subset of group 1/10 (1 -dot group) which is a subset of group 1/00 (main group). ü Group 1/12 is not a subset of group 1/02 nor of group 1/08. 12
Example: 31, 719 documents (NB: include all subdivisions) Section Class Subclass Main group Subgroups 12 th level 170 docs ► sufficiently small numbers 13
Hierarchy of Subgroups ü Level of hierarchy: § Indicated by dots § Number of dots > indentation/hierarchical level § Independent of numbering of subgroups! Example: G 01 N 33/483 • • Physical analysis of biological material 33/487 • • • of liquid biological material 33/49 • • blood 33/50 • • Chemical analysis of biological material, e. g. blood Ø Technical hierarchy is independent of numbering. 14
Numbering of subgroups ü Numbering does not determine hierarchical level. ü Numbering determines sequential/presentation order of subgroups. „ / “ can be interpreted as a decimal point. Example: G 01 N 33/483 33/487 33/49 33/50 1/23 34/02 > 1. 23 > 34. 02 (33. 483) • • Physical analysis of biological material • • • of liquid biological material (33. 487) (33. 49) • • blood • • Chemical analysis of biological material, e. g. blood 15
Exercise Q 1) Is A 47 D 7/01 placed in a hierarchically lower level than A 47 D 7/00? Q 2) Is A 61 B 5/097 placed after A 61 B 5/11? A 1) Yes A 47 D 7/00 A 47 D 7/01 Children's beds · with adjustable parts A 2) No 5. 097 < 5. 11 16
Exercise Q 3) Q 4) Is an imaginary symbol K 01 A 1/10 placed in a hierarchically higher level than K 01 A 1/12? What about the relationship between K 01 A 1/10 and K 01 A 1/104? K 01 A 1/10 is placed before or after K 01 A 1/12 ? A 3) Unknown; depends on number of dots. Case 1 A 42 B 1/00 A 42 B 1/12 Case 2 A 23 G 1/00 A 23 G 1/04 A 23 G 1/10 A 23 G 1/12 Case 3 A 42 B 1/00 A 42 B 1/04 A 42 B 1/08 A 42 B 1/10 A 42 B 1/12 Footwear characterised by the material Hierarchically higher level · Footwear made of rubber · · of rubber waste Cocoa; Cocoa products, e. g. chocolate; … · Apparatus specially adapted for manufacture or treatment of cocoa … · · Mixing apparatus; Roller mills for preparing chocolate · · Chocolate-refining mills, i. e. roll refiners Hats; Caps; Hoods · Soft caps; Hoods · · with protection against blows … · · · Miners' caps · · Bathing caps A 4) Before (1. 10 < 1. 12) Hierarchically lower level 17
Titles Example: A 01 AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING A 01 J Manufacture of dairy products A 01 C Planting; Sowing; Fertilising A 47 D Furniture specially adapted for children Single part title Multipart titles separated by “; “ (semicolons) > accumulation of different subject matter 18
Subgroup Titles Example: A 01 K 31/00 : 31/06 31/07 31/08 Housing birds • Cages • • Transportable cages • • Collapsible cages ü Upper case first letters: § Titles can be read independently. § Always within the scope of hierarchy. H 01 S 3/00 Lasers 3/14 • characterised by the material used as the active medium ü Lower case first letter: § Titles read as continuation of hierarchically higher title. 19
Dots and titles ü Dots can be used in place of titles of hierarchically superior groups to avoid repetitions. Example: B 64 C AEROPLANES; HELICOPTERS 5/00 Stabilising surfaces 5/06 • Fins 5/08 • mounted on, or supported by, wings 5/10 • adjustable Combined titles: 5/08 • Stabilising surfaces mounted on, or supported by, wings 5/10 • Adjustable stabilising surfaces 20
Title and Scope ü Some terminology: § Symbol + Title build/form IPC entry IPC place Classification place synonyms § Scope of IPC entry/place is: the technical subject matter that is covered by this place. 21
Scope of IPC Group ü Scope (content) is defined by titles § Sections, Classes: titles give broad indication of the contents § Subclasses, groups: titles define the content as precisely as possible N. B. Scope is always defined by the title of the group + scope of hierarchically higher place. e. g. H 01 S : H 01 S 3/00 Lasers 3/05 • Construction or shape of optical resonators 22
Scope of IPC Group Example: Section: A HUMAN NECESSITIES Class: A 47 FURNITURE … Subclass: A 47 C CHAIRS Main group: A 47 C 1/00 Chairs adapted for special purposes one‑dot subgroup: 1/02 • Reclining or easy chairs two‑dot subgroup: 1/022 • • having independently-adjustable supporting parts three‑dot subgroup: 1/028 • • • for changing a straight chair into an easy chair four‑dot subgroup: 1/029 • • by changing the length or the inclination of the legs A 47 C 1/029 reads “Reclining or easy chairs having independently-adjustable supporting parts for changing a straight chair into an easy chair by changing the length or the inclination of the legs ” 23
Exercise Q 5) Try to combine the title of the following group and its hierarchical predecessors to single title: A 01 B 3/421 Hint: Use the hierarchic view mode and search the symbol; you will see only the symbol and the hierarchical higher places which you have to combine. A 5) Turn-wrest ploughs mounted on tractors with a headstock frame made in one piece 24
View mode (path/full/hierarchic) 25
Exercise Q 6) Try to combine the title of the following group and its hierarchical predecessors to single title: A 01 B 13/12 A 6) Ploughs for working subsoil having special implements for lifting subsoil layers with means for distributing the layers on the surface or Special implements for lifting subsoil layers with means for distributing the layers on the surface for ploughs for working subsoil 26
Scope of IPC Group Example: (circles symbolize scope, i. e. technical area covered by group) 1/00 T 1/02 • T 1 1/04 • • T 2 1/06 • • • T 3 1/08 • T 4 1/10 • T 5 1/12 • • T 6 Scopes at the same hierarchy are mutually exclusive, i. e. no overlap 27
Scope of IPC Group Example: 4/00 A 23 N 4/00 Machines for stoning fruit or removing seed-containing sections from fruit, characterised by their stoning or 4/02 removing device 4/04 A 23 N 4/02 • for stoning fruit 4/08 A 23 N 4/04 • • for peaches, plums, apricots 4/06 or the like 4/10 A 23 N 4/06 • • for cherries or the like A 23 N 4/08 • • for dates, olives or the like oblong fruits A 23 N 4/10 • • for fruit with very small pips, 4/14 4/12 4/18 e. g. raisins A 23 N 4/12 • for coring fruit 4/16 A 23 N 4/14 • • for apples, pears or the like 4/20 A 23 N 4/16 • • for tomatoes or the like A 23 N 4/18 • • for citrus fruits A 23 N 4/20 • • for pineapples 28
Scope of IPC Group ü Mutually exclusive scopes are ideal situations ü Overlap is possible 1/00 Example: G 02 B 1/00 Optical elements 1/02 1/04 • made of organic materials 1/06 1/08 • made of polarising materials 1/04 1/08 29
Elements of IPC scheme ü ü ü Classification places: Symbol + Title + Hierarchy References Notes Subsections Guidance Headings Subclass Index and Class index Determine the scope of IPC groups. 30
Elements of IPC scheme ü Classification places: § Symbol + Title + Hierarchy ü References: § Statements in brackets “( )” referring to another place in the Classification. § Show that the subject matter indicated by the reference is covered by the place referred to. § Apply to the place where they appear and to all hierarchically lower places. 31
References Example: B 64 C AEROPLANES; HELICOPTERS (air-cushion vehicles B 60 V) References A 01 D 69/00 Driving mechanisms or parts thereof for harvesters or mowers (driving mechanisms for the cutters of mowers or harvesters A 01 D 34/00) A 01 B 35/00 Other machines for working soil (A 01 B 37/00, A 01 B 39/00, A 01 B 77/00 take precedence) 32
References ü Two types of references 1. Limiting references References of the two categories below: (1 a) Scope-limitation references (2 b) Precedence references 2. Non-limiting references References of the three categories below: (2 a) Application-oriented references (2 b) References out of a residual place (2 c) Informative references 33
1. Limiting references (1 a) Scope-limitation references üExclude specified subject matter from the scope of this classification place. üIndicate the place(s) where this subject matter is classified. Example: A 47 B 25/00 Card tables; Tables for other games (billiard tables A 63 D 15/00) A 47 B 25/00 Card tables; Tables for other games d 1 d 2 billiard tables A 63 D 15/00 34
1. Limiting references (1 b) Precedence references üReferences stating that another place “takes precedence”. üUsed when subject matter is classifiable in two places, or when different aspects are covered by different places, and it is desired that such subject matter should be classified in only one of those places. Example: G 02 B 1/00 Optical elements 1/02 • made of crystals (G 02 B 1/08 takes precedence) 1/04 • made of organic materials, e. g. plastics (G 02 B 1/08 takes precedence) 1/08 • made of polarising materials Overlap excluded by precedence references x 1 1/02 x 2 1/08 y 1 y 2 1/04 1/00 35
2. Non-limiting references ü References of the three categories below: (2 a) Application-oriented references (2 b) References out of a residual place (2 c) Informative references 36
2. Non-limiting references (2 a) Application-oriented references ü References from function-oriented (general) places to application-oriented places (places where the subject matter is covered if it is specially adapted, used for a particular purpose or incorporated in a larger system) Example: H 01 S 3/00 Devices using stimulated emission Lasers The following are application-oriented places: A 61 F 9/008 Eye surgery using laser B 41 J 2/44, 2/455 Laser printers G 11 B 7/125 Laser heads for recording or reproducing 37
2. Non-limiting references (2 b) References out of a residual place üReferences appearing in a residual place, illustrating places which cover the subject matter Example: F 21 K Light sources not otherwise provided for F 21 K is residual to the whole of the IPC, and the following are examples of references to other places: C 11 C Candles H 01 K Electric incandescent lamps H 01 L 33/00 LEDs 38
2. Non-limiting references (2 c) Informative references üReferences indicating the location of subject matter that could be of interest for search, but which subject matter is not within the scope. üFulfil the following requirements: §the subject matter “does not fit“ in the place, but §that subject matter is still interesting for search. üIn the IPC Definitions, informative references are listed in tabular form. Example: H 01 S 3/00 Lasers Informative references: G 02 F Control of light beams in general G 02 B 27/48 Laser speckle optics 39
Removal of non-limiting references from the scheme ü To maintain the readability of schemes, non-limiting references (application-oriented, informative references, etc. ) are progressively being removed from the scheme and transferred to IPC Definitions. ü This will abolish ambiguity; any references in the scheme will in the future be regarded as “limiting references”. 40
Elements of IPC scheme ü ü ü Classification places: Symbol + Title + Hierarchy References Notes Subsection Guidance Heading Subclass Index and Class index Determine the scope of IPC groups. 41
Notes ü They are separate statements after entries starting with “Note(s)”. ü Define the scope of places: “This place covers. . . ”; “This place does not cover. . . ”. ü Define terminology (e. g. B 22 F, G 02). ü Indicate classification rules (e. g. note 5 after G 01 R). ü Apply only to the place where they are, including all hierarchically lower places. 42
Notes 43
Notes Example: A 23 C DAIRY PRODUCTS, e. g. MILK, BUTTER, CHEESE; MILK OR CHEESE SUBSTITUTES; MAKING THEREOF Note(s) This subclass covers: • the chemical aspects of making dairy products; • the apparatus used for performing techniques provided for therein, e. g. for concentration, evaporation, drying, preservation, --F 03 D WIND MOTORS Note(s) 1. This subclass covers wind motors, i. e. mechanisms for converting the energy of wind into useful mechanical power, and the transmission of such power to its point of use. 2. This subclass does not cover electrical power generation or distribution aspects of wind-power plants, which are covered by 44 section H, e. g. H 02 J or H 02 P.
Notes Example: A 61 K 8/00 Cosmetics or similar toilet preparations Note(s) Use of cosmetics or similar toilet preparations is further classified in subclass A 61 Q. A 61 K 8/02 · characterised by special physical form Note(s) In this group, in the absence of an indication of the contrary, classification is made in the last appropriate place. A 61 K 8/03 · · Liquid compositions with two or more distinct layers A 61 K 8/04 · · Dispersions; Emulsions A 61 K 8/06 · · · Emulsions 45
Notes Example: G 01 R MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES (indicating correct tuning of resonant circuits H 03 J 3/12) Note(s) 1. This subclass covers: • measuring all kinds of electric or magnetic variables directly or by derivation from other electric or magnetic variables; • measuring all kinds of electric or magnetic properties of materials; --5. In this subclass, group G 01 R 17/00 takes precedence over groups G 01 R 19/00 -G 01 R 31/00. 46
Elements of IPC scheme ü ü ü Classification places: symbol + title + hierarchy References Notes Subsections Guidance headings Subclass index and Class index Facilitate use of IPC. 47
Subsections ü Subsections are informative headings without symbol separating Classes of similar content. Example: Section A HUMAN NECESSITIES Subsection AGRICULTURE Class A 0 l Subsection AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL … FOODSTUFFS; TOBACCO Class A 2 l BAKING; EQUIPMENT FOR MAKING. . . Class A 22 BUTCHERING; MEAT TREATMENT; … Class A 24 TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES 48
Guidance Headings ü Guidance Headings are underlined titles indicating the common subject matter of the following groups until the next guidance heading or horizontal line. Example: A 24 F Tobacco pipes 1/00 Tobacco pipes 3/00 Tobacco pipes combined with other objects Component parts or accessories for pipes; Mouthpieces 5/00 Bowls for pipes 7/00 Mouthpieces for pipes; Mouthpieces for cigarette holders … 49
Guidance Headings Subclass Indexes 50
Guidance Headings Example: Guidance heading Horizontal line 51
Subclass Index ü Subclass Index is an informative summary giving a broad survey of the content of the subclass. Example: 52
Exercise Q 7) In main group A 47 C 1/00, where would you classify: (a) devices for reserving a theatre chair? (b) a theatre chair tipping upwards? (c) devices for reserving a beach chair? A 47 C 1/00 A 47 C 1/02 A 47 C 1/04 A 47 C 1/121 A 47 C 1/122 A 47 C 1/124 A 47 C 1/126 A 47 C 1/13 A 47 C 1/14 Chairs adapted for special purposes · Reclining or easy chairs · Hairdressers' or similar chairs · Theatre, auditorium, or similar chairs · · having tipping-up seats · · · tipping-up sideways · · Separate chairs, connectible together into a row · · stowable in floor or wall · · Indicators; Devices for reserving or the like 53 · Beach chairs
Answer A 7) (a) devices for reserving a theatre chair? (b) a theatre chair tipping upwards? (c) devices for reserving a beach chair? A 47 C 1/00 A 47 C 1/02 A 47 C 1/04 A 47 C 1/121 A 47 C 1/122 A 47 C 1/124 A 47 C 1/126 A 47 C 1/13 A 47 C 1/14 Chairs adapted for special purposes · Reclining or easy chairs · Hairdressers' or similar chairs · Theatre, auditorium, or similar chairs · · having tipping-up seats · · · tipping-up sideways · · Separate chairs, connectible together into a row · · stowable in floor or wall · · Indicators; Devices for reserving or the like · Beach chairs 54
Answer A 7) (a) devices for reserving a theatre chair A 47 C 1/13 (b) a theatre chair tipping upwards A 47 C 1/121 (c) devices for reserving a beach chair A 47 C 1/14 55
Exercise Q 8) In B 26 D, where would you classify cutting several slices of tomato at one time with a circular knife? B 26 D 1/00 Cutting through work characterised by the nature or movement of the cutting member; Apparatus or machines therefor; . . . B 26 D 1/01 · involving a cutting member which does not travel with the work B 26 D 1/02 · · having a stationary cutting member B 26 D 1/03 · · · with a plurality of cutting members B 26 D 1/04 · · having a linearly-movable cutting member B 26 D 1/12 · · having a cutting member moving about an axis B 26 D 1/14 · · · with a circular cutting member, e. g. disc cutter B 26 D 1/25 · · · with a non-circular cutting member B 26 D 1/44 · · having a cup or like cutting member B 26 D 1/45 · · having a cutting member the movement of which is not covered by any preceding group B 26 D 1/46 · · having an endless band-knife or the like 56
Answer A 8) Cutting several slices of tomato at one time with a circular knife B 26 D 1/00 Cutting through work characterised by the nature or movement of the cutting member; Apparatus or machines therefor; . . . B 26 D 1/01 · involving a cutting member which does not travel with the work B 26 D 1/02 · · having a stationary cutting member B 26 D 1/03 · · · with a plurality of cutting members B 26 D 1/04 · · having a linearly-movable cutting member B 26 D 1/12 · · having a cutting member moving about an axis B 26 D 1/14 · · · with a circular cutting member, e. g. disc cutter B 26 D 1/25 · · · with a non-circular cutting member B 26 D 1/44 · · having a cup or like cutting member B 26 D 1/45 · · having a cutting member the movement of which is not covered by any preceding group B 26 D 1/46 · · having an endless band-knife or the like 57
Answer A 8) Cutting several slices of tomato at one time with a circular knife B 26 D 1/14 58
Exercise Q 9) In A 47 G, clothes hangers are in 25/00 and subordinate groups. Where would you classify a wire clothes hanger? A 47 G 25/00 A 47 G 25/02 A 47 G 25/10 A 47 G 25/12 A 47 G 25/14 A 47 G 25/16 A 47 G 25/18 A 47 G 25/20 A 47 G 25/22 A 47 G 25/24 A 47 G 25/40 A 47 G 25/42 A 47 G 25/44 A 47 G 25/46 A 47 G 25/48 A 47 G 25/52 A 47 G 25/60 A 47 G 25/62 A 47 G 25/64 Household implements used in connection with wearing apparel; . . . · Dress holders; Dress suspending devices; . . . · Hat holders; Hat racks · Cane or umbrella stands or holders · Clothing hangers, e. g. suit hangers · · for complete outfits · · for two or more similar garments · · with devices for preserving the shape of the clothes · · specially adapted for furs · · made of wire · · Collapsible hangers · · · made of wire · · Slidable hangers · · · made of wire · · Hangers with clamps or the like, e. g. for trousers or skirts · · · made of wire · Hangers having provision for perfumes or for pesticides or pest repellant · Trouser or skirt stretchers or tensioners of the hanger type 59 · · made of wire
Answer A 9) A wire clothes hanger? A 47 G 25/00 A 47 G 25/02 A 47 G 25/10 A 47 G 25/12 A 47 G 25/14 A 47 G 25/16 A 47 G 25/18 A 47 G 25/20 A 47 G 25/22 A 47 G 25/24 A 47 G 25/40 A 47 G 25/42 A 47 G 25/44 A 47 G 25/46 A 47 G 25/48 A 47 G 25/52 A 47 G 25/60 A 47 G 25/62 A 47 G 25/64 Household implements used in connection with wearing apparel; . . . · Dress holders; Dress suspending devices; . . . · Hat holders; Hat racks · Cane or umbrella stands or holders · Clothing hangers, e. g. suit hangers · · for complete outfits · · for two or more similar garments · · with devices for preserving the shape of the clothes · · specially adapted for furs · · made of wire · · Collapsible hangers · · · made of wire · · Slidable hangers · · · made of wire · · Hangers with clamps or the like, e. g. for trousers or skirts · · · made of wire · Hangers having provision for perfumes or for pesticides or pest repellant · Trouser or skirt stretchers or tensioners of the hanger type · · made of wire 60
Answer A 9) A wire clothes hanger A 47 G 25/24 61
Exercise Q 10) Wheels for a trailer? (indicate main groups) Component parts of trailers are classified in B 62 D 63/08. B 62 D MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A 01 B 69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B 60 B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B 60 C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B 60 D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B 60 F; suspension arrangements B 60 G; . . . ). . . B 62 D 63/00 Motor vehicles or trailers not otherwise provided for B 62 D 63/02 · Motor vehicles B 62 D 63/04 · · Component parts or accessories B 62 D 63/06 · Trailers B 62 D 63/08 · · Component parts or accessories 62
Answer A 10) Wheels for a trailer? (indicate main groups) Component parts of trailers are classified in B 62 D 63/08. However, see the second reference in subclass title. B 62 D MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A 01 B 69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B 60 B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B 60 C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B 60 D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B 60 F; suspension arrangements B 60 G; --- ) 63
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Answer A 10) Wheels for a trailer: B 60 B 1/00 3/00 5/00 9/00 15/00 19/00 65
Exercise Q 11) A method of splicing or joining rope? Subclass D 07 B covers ropes. D 07 B ROPES OR CABLES IN GENERAL (joining ropes or cables to one another or to other objects B 65 H 69/00, F 16 G 11/00; mechanical finishing or dressing of ropes D 02 J; decorative ropes or cords D 04 D; suspension cables for bridges E 01 D 19/16; specially adapted for driving, or for being driven by, pulleys or other gearing elements F 16 G 9/00; electric cables or joints insofar as electrical aspects are essential H 01 B, H 01 R) 66
Answer A 11) A method of splicing or joining rope? Subclass D 07 B covers ropes. However, there is a reference to B 65 H 69/00 (joining ropes to one another) in the subclass title. D 07 B ROPES OR CABLES IN GENERAL (joining ropes or cables to one another or to other objects B 65 H 69/00, F 16 G 11/00; mechanical finishing or dressing of ropes D 02 J; decorative ropes or cords D 04 D; suspension cables for bridges E 01 D 19/16; specially adapted for driving, or for being driven by, pulleys or other gearing elements F 16 G 9/00; electric cables or joints insofar as electrical aspects are essential H 01 B, H 01 R) 67
Answer A 11) A method of splicing or joining rope? B 65 H HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e. g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES. . . B 65 H 69/00 Methods of, or devices for, interconnecting successive lengths of material; . . . B 65 H 69/02 · by means of adhesives B 65 H 69/04 · by knotting B 65 H 69/06 · by splicing B 65 H 69/08 · by welding 68
Exercise Q 12) A machine for sorting eggs by weight? B 07 C is “Sorting individual articles” and B 07 C 5/16 is “Sorting according to weight”. 69
Answers A 12) B 07 C is “Sorting individual articles” and B 07 C 5/16 is “Sorting according to weight”. However, in B 07 C 5/16, there is a reference to “sorting eggs A 01 K 43/00”. A 01 K 43/00 70
Guide to the IPC The official Guide to the IPC provides comprehensive information on the IPC. It is available for download on the WIPO website of the IPC at: http: //www. wipo. int/classifications/ipc/en/general/ 71
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