SECTION I - CLASS DEFINITION
This class is directed to methods of production and manufacture
of substances having a nutrient action on plant growth. It also
includes the products of such methods and compositions or mixtures
having these characteristics, and forms of chemical compounds or
mixtures peculiarly adapted and designed to make them more available
for use and distribution as a fertilizer.
| (1)
Note. Fertilizers admixed with preserving agents are in this
class. See the class definitions of appropriate compound and composition
classes for the classification of preservative additives. |
SECTION II - LINES WITH OTHER CLASSES AND WITHIN THIS CLASS
See References to Other Classes, below, for apparatus for
making fertilizers not specifically provided for in other classes.
See References to Other Classes, below, for drying processes,
per se, and for processes for contacting solids with gases or vapors
not restricted to fertilizer manufacture.
This class (71) includes, in subclasses 5+ and below processes
of applying a specific fertilizer composition to plants or soil.
Those processes which do not involve the application of a specific
composition are classified in the appropriate class of which Class
47 is the generic class; see the definition and notes of that class
for the line with the other classes. Processes which include some
manipulation of the soil are classified in Classes 47, 111, or 172
in accordance with the line between those classes. Plant pots or
molds made of fertilizer material and mulching sheets which are
made of or compose a fertilizer ingredient are in Class 47. Compositions
of seeds and fertilizer are in Class 71.
See Class 426, Food or Edible Material: Processes, Compositions,
and Products, appropriate subclasses for animal foods. If a composition
(product) is usable either as an animal food or a plant food, it
is classifiable in Class 426 and cross referenced to Class 71.
See Class 504, Plant Protecting and Regulating Compositions,
for compositions and compounds for treating living terrestrial and
aquatic plants or their habitats for the purpose of stimulating,
inhibiting or retarding growth, defoliating, or killing said plants,
and the processes of using such compositions or compounds for such
purposes which are not more than their mere application to the plant
or habitat. Compositions disclosed as having unequivocal fertilizer
value in addition to biocidal or deodorant value are in Class 504
and cross-referenced to Class 424 or 514. Class 504 specifically provides
for algicidal compositions.
Only those compositions which alter the plant through a chemical
modification of the plant metabolism such as auxins are included
in Class 504. The line between a chemical which causes a plant
metabolism response and a fertilizer or plant food is somewhat difficult,
but for purposes of this class the following applies: (1) compositions
having only a fertilizing affect and (2) compositions which are
disclosed as having both a stimulating and fertilizing action and
wherein the composition taken as a whole merely exhibits its stimulating
affect as a response to the fertilizing action and wherein no disclosure
is made as to the specific response, except for general statements
as to "stimulating and fertilizing affects", are
not in Class 504, but may be found in the appropriate fertilizer
subclass in Class 71. Compositions which include a plant stimulant
as well as a fertilizer or biocide (insecticide, fungicide, etc.)
are classified in Class 504.
Compositions which are added to prevent or cure mineral or
plant food deficiencies are excluded from Class 504. For example,
the addition of iron chelates to cure or prevent iron chlorosis
are found in the appropriate subclass of Class 71.
See Class 210, Liquid Purification or Separation, appropriate
subclasses, particularly subclasses 601+ for processes
for the treatment of sewage to separate solids and liquids and purify
or dry the same. If other treatment, beyond separation, purifying
or drying, is included, which is directed to improving the character
as a fertilizer, see this class (71).
The rules for determining Class placement of the Original
Reference (OR) for claimed chemical compositions are set forth in
the Class Definition of Class 252 in the section LINES WITH OTHER
CLASSES AND WITHIN THIS CLASS, subsection COMPOSITION CLASS SUPERIORITY,
which includes a hierarchical ORDER OF SUPERIORITY FOR COMPOSITIONS CLASSES.
SECTION III - REFERENCES TO OTHER CLASSES
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
34, | Drying and Gas or Vapor Contact With Solids, for drying processes, per se, and for processes for
contacting solids with gases or vapors not restricted to fertilizer
manufacture. |
100, | Presses,
subclasses 35+ for methods of pressing not elsewhere provided
for. |
204, | Chemistry: Electrical and Wave Energy, for electrical or wave energy methods involving chemical
reactions which are caused by more than the mere thermal effects
of the electrical or wave energy for the preparation of compounds
or elements useful for fertilizer compositions, see Class. |
209, | Classifying, Separating, and Assorting Solids, appropriate subclasses for flotation processes of
concentrating mineral, such as crude phosphate, to give an improved
fertilizer. |
210, | Liquid Purification or Separation, appropriate subclasses, particularly
subclasses 601+ for processes for the treatment of sewage to separate
solids and liquids and purify or dry the same. If other treatment,
beyond separation, purifying or drying, is included, which is directed
to improving the character as a fertilizer, see this class (71). |
422, | Chemical Apparatus and Process Disinfecting, Deodorizing,
Preserving, or Sterilizing, for apparatus for making fertilizers not specifically provided
for in other classes. |
423, | Chemistry of Inorganic Compounds,
subclasses 265+ for inorganic compounds with additives and see
the notes thereto for the general line between Class 423 and composition classes. |
435, | Chemistry: Molecular Biology and Microbiology, for making, separating, or purifying substances
by processes that include fermentations; for processes of making
or treating living organisms, enzymes, or ferments; and for compositions
or apparatus for use in such processes. |
504, | Plant Protecting and Regulating Compositions, for compositions and compounds for treating living terrestrial
and aquatic plants or their habitats for the purpose of stimulating,
inhibiting or retarding growth, defoliating, or killing said plants,
and the processes of using such compositions or compounds for such
purposes which are not more than their mere application to the plant
or habitat. Compositions disclosed as having unequivocal fertilizer
value in addition to biocidal or deodorant value are in Class 504 and
cross-referenced to Class 424 or 514. Class 504 specifically provides
for algicidal compositions in
subclasses 150+ , stunting and dwarfing compositions in subclasses
174+, and sucker control compositions in subclasses 184+. |
520, | Synthetic Resins or Natural Rubbers, appropriate subclasses, particularly Class 523,
subclass 122 for a composition containing a synthetic resin
or natural rubber and an ingredient which prevents the commencement
of biocidal deterioration from fungi, bacteria, or other organisms
of the resin and which does not include a fertilizer; subclasses
124+ for a composition containing a synthetic resin or
natural rubber which is claimed or solely disclosed as having enhanced
degradability by exposure to an environmental stimulus; and subclasses 132+ for
a composition containing a synthetic resin having utility in situ
as a soil conditioner or stabilizer or to processes of preparing
said composition. |
SUBCLASSES
1 | PROCESSES AND PRODUCTS: |
| This subclass is indented under the class definition. All processes and products which are not provided for in
the following subclasses.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
422, | Chemical Apparatus and Process Disinfecting, Deodorizing,
Preserving, or Sterilizing, appropriate subclasses for fertilizer producing
apparatus not specifically provided for in other classes. |
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5 | For mushrooms: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 1. Products of special value in the cultivation of fungi, such
as mushrooms, and processes of making them.
| (1)
Note. If the claims include the mycellium or spawn, the patent
is classified in Class 47, Plant Husbandry, and cross-referenced
here. |
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
435, | Chemistry: Molecular Biology and Microbiology, particularly
subclasses 254.1 through 256.8for subject matter directed to a composition having utility
as a fungal culture medium (i.e., media for maintenance, growth, production,
etc.) or a technique for preparing or using the same. |
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6 | Bacterial: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 1. This subclass and those indented hereunder include fertilizer
products and the methods of making them, which involve the use and
action of enzymes or bacteria. |
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8 | Fermentation: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 6. Processes directed to autogenous fermentation or decomposition
and the products of such processes. |
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9 | Aerobic: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 8. Processes and compositions where the fermentation is aerobic.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
210, | Liquid Purification or Separation,
subclasses 601+ , especially 604, 605, 615+, and 620+ for
aerobic treatment of sewage. |
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10 | Anaerobic: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 8. Processes and compositions where the fermentation is anaerobic.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
210, | Liquid Purification or Separation,
subclasses 601+ especially 605 and 630 for anaerobic treatment
of sewage. |
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11 | Organic material-containing: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 1. Methods of making organic containing fertilizers and corresponding
products. In this subclass inorganic values may or may not be included. |
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12 | From sewage or night soil: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 11. Processes of preparing fertilizer from sewage or night soil,
and the corresponding products.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
13, | if other organic fertilizer materials are included. |
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13 | With other organic material: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 12. Patents in which other organic substances of fertilizer
value are included. If such added organic values are hereinbelow
listed, they are cross-referenced below. |
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14 | From garbage: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 11. Processes of preparing fertilizer from garbage and corresponding
products. If other organic values, such as those listed below,
are present, they are cross-referenced below. |
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15 | From animal matter: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 11. Processes for preparing fertilizer and corresponding products,
not hereinabove classified, which include animal matter not listed
among any of the indented types below or which include a plurality
of the said indented types.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
22, | if including organic fertilizer other than animal
matter. |
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16 | Marine animals: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 15. Inventions in which the marine animal matter is the only
type of animal matter present; other organic fertilizer values,
except other animal derivatives, such as are classified below, may also
be included. |
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17 | Blood: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 15. Animal matter from blood is the only type of animal matter
present; other organic fertilizer values, except other animal derivatives
such as are classified below may also be included. |
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18 | Horn, hair, feathers, wool, leather, etc.: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 15. and including animal matter derived from horn, hair, feathers,
wool, leather, etc.; other organic fertilizer values except other
animal derivatives such as are classified below, may also be included. |
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19 | Bone: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 15. and including animal matter derived from bone as the only
type of animal matter present. |
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20 | With other organic matter: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 19. Processes and products which include other organic fertilizer
values except other animal derivatives such as are classified below. |
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21 | Guano, stable manure, etc.: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 15. and including guano and animal excretions, generally, as
the only types of animal matter present. Other organic fertilizer
values, except animal matter such as classified below, may also
be present. |
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22 | With other organic material: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 15. Processes and products which include other organic values
such as are classified hereinbelow.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
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23 | From vegetation: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 11. Processes and products, of preparing fertilizers from vegetable
material; other organic values such as classified hereinbelow may
also be present. |
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24 | Peat, humus material, coal, etc.: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 23. Processes and products which include humus material, peat,
lignite, coal and carbon. Other organic fertilizer values classifiable
below may also be present. |
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25 | From industrial wastes: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 11. Processes and products which include industrial wastes.
Industrial wastes, within the meaning of this subclass, include
ashes, cinders, paper, flue dust, waste liquors from paper manufacture,
tanning liquors, corn steep liquors, gas liquor, etc.; in brief,
any substance of organic origin ordinarily considered a waste material
resulting from an industrial process and not provided for above.
Other organic fertilizer values, such as classified hereinbelow, may
also be present.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
42, | 43, for gas liquors used in alkaline treatment or
neutralization of phosphates. |
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26 | Sugar or distillery: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 25. Processes and products in which the industrial waste is
from sugar manufacture or distillery wastes. The use of sugar is
also included. Other organic fertilizer values, such as classified
hereinbelow or not otherwise provided for, may also be included. |
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27 | From synthetic material: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 11. Processes which include preparing synthetic organic fertilizers
and the corresponding products.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
204, | Chemistry: Electrical and Wave Energy, for electrical or wave energy methods involving
chemical reactions which are caused by more than the mere thermal
effects of the electrical or wave energy for synthetic preparation
of compounds or elements useful for fertilizer compositions. |
205, | Electrolysis: Processes, Compositions Used Therein,
and Methods of Preparing the Compositions,
subclasses 334+ for electrolytic synthesis of compounds or elements
useful for fertilizer compositions. |
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30 | With nitrogen-containing substances: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 28. Processes or products which include inorganic N containing
substances, other than NH4, such as nitrates. Thus, fertilizers
containing urea admixed with a nitrate and urea nitrate both belong
in this subclass. |
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31 | Inorganic material: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 1. Methods of making fertilizer containing only inorganic materials
and the corresponding products, when not provided for in any of
the indented subclasses. |
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33 | Phosphates: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 32. Methods directed to the preparation of inorganic fertilizers
containing phosphates.
| (1)
Note. Subclasses 33-47 are primarily process subclasses but
include products corresponding thereto when such are claimed along
with the processes, in which case the products are cross-referenced
to subclass 48 and indented subclasses. | |
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37 | Acid treatment: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 33. Methods of preparing phosphatic fertilizers where the starting
materials are treated with an acid or a mixture of acids.
| (1)
Note. Methods employing mixtures of acids which are separately
provided for hereunder are included in this subclass, e.g., a mixture
of sulfuric and phosphoric acids. | |
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38 | Gaseous: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 37. Processes wherein the acid is supplied in the gaseous state. |
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39 | Nitric and hydrochloric: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 37. Processes wherein the acid supplied is HNO3 or HCl mixed
in the liquid state.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
37, | for HNO3 or HCl mixed with another acid. |
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40 | Sulfuric acid: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 37. Processes wherein the acid used in H2SO4.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
37, | for H2SO4 mixed with another acid. |
38, | for treatment with sulphuric acid anhydride. |
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41 | Acids of phosphorus: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 37. Processes wherein the acid used is an acid of phosphorus.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
37, | for an acid of phosphorus mixed with another acid,
see this class. |
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42 | Alkaline treatment: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 33. Methods of preparing phosphate containing fertilizers wherein
the starting materials are treated with a distinctly alkaline substance
such as the alkali metal oxides, hydroxides and carbonates or the
alkaline earth metal oxides or hydroxides.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
43, | for mere neutralization of an acid fertilizer. |
44+, | for distinctively high temperature treatment. |
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43 | Neutralization: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 33. Methods directed to the neutralization of an acidic or basic
material by treatment with a reagent which will accomplish the neutralization. |
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44 | Heat-treatment: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 33. Methods of preparing phosphate containing fertilizers wherein
the raw materials are subjected to a heat treatment, usually a high
temperature heat treatment which is the essential or dominating
feature of the process. Thus, the heat treatment of phosphate rock
alone or in the presence of an inorganic substance at white, red
or fusion heat temperatures, belongs here, irrespective of whether
or not the substance is distinctly alkaline. |
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45 | Alkali metal and silicon values: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 44. Processes wherein both alkali metal and silicon values are
present at some stage of the process; other inorganic compounds
may also be present. The preponderance of patents in this subclass
apply the heat treatment in the presence of the alkali metal and
silicon values. |
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47 | Carbonates, oxides, sulfates, silicon, and halides: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 44. Processes wherein carbonates, oxides, sulphates, halides
or silicon values, one or more, are present at some stage of the
process. As in the preceding heat treatment subclasses, the added
values are ordinarily present during the heat treatment. |
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48 | Products: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 33. This subclass includes all patents directed to a phosphate
containing fertilizer. |
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49 | Nitrogen-containing: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 48. Products which contain also inorganic N values, other than
or in addition to NH4.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
51, | for products wherein the only inorganic N value
is NH4. |
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50 | Nitrates: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 42. Products which contain also inorganic nitrates.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
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55 | Cyanamide: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 54. Methods and products in which the N value is a cyanamide
or a derivative thereof. |
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58 | Nitrates: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 54. Processes directed to the preparation of an inorganic fertilizer
containing nitrates and corresponding products. |
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61 | Alkali metal or ammonium: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 31. Processes and products directed to the preparation of inorganic
fertilizers containing alkali metal or ammonium values. |
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62 | Silicon-containing: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 31. Processes and products directed to the preparation of inorganic
fertilizers containing Si values; slags not provided for above are
herein classified. |
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64.01 | Forms or conditioning: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 1. Processes not hereinabove provided for, directed to the
preparation of fertilizers in commercial forms.
| (1)
Note. The fertilizer forms, as articles of manufacture, also
belong here. Methods directed to the conditioning of fertilizer values,
such as obviating hygroscopicity, granulating, or rendering a fertilizer
friable (as by quenching) are also classified herein. |
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
47, | Plant Husbandry, for structures formed of or containing fertilizers, such
as flower pots, stakes and mulching sheets, utilized in plant husbandry, and
fertilizing cartridges adapted to be buried in the earth. |
264, | Plastic and Nonmetallic Article Shaping or Treating:
Processes, for processes of comminuting or granulating a liquid or
molten substance are classified in
subclasses 5+ , even though the granulated substance is claimed
as a fertilizer. Processes of granulating a mixture of reagents
to give a fertilizer composition are in this class (71), in the
subclass determinative of the composition. |
206, | Special Receptacle or Package,
subclasses 524.1+ for a container with specified material for content
or receptacle, particularly subclass 524.5 for a container with
caustic content. |
516, | Colloid Systems and Wetting Agents; Subcombinations
Thereof; Processes of Making, Stabilizing, Breaking, or Inhibiting, for colloid systems or agents for such systems or making
or stabilizing such systems or agents, especially
subclasses 20+ for organic continuous liquid phase, subclasses 38+ for
bituminous, coal, or Carbon suspended in aqueous continuous phase,
subclasses 77+ for colloid systems of colloid-sized solid
phase dispersed in aqueous continuous liquid phase; in each instance,
when generically claimed or when there is no hierarchically superior
provision in the USPC for the specifically claimed art. |
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64.02 | Coating and granulating: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 64.01. Subject matter including the steps of covering and making
the material finer or vice versa.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
64.03+, | for granulating processes. |
64.07, | for coating processes. |
64.11, | and 64.12, for coated products. |
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64.05 | By agglomerating: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 64.03. Subject matter wherein the material is collected or gathered
into a mass, e.g., formed into increasing larger balls as by rolling,
etc. |
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64.08 | Slurry or suspension: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 64.01. Subject matter wherein the material is in the form of a
slurry, i.e., a thin watery mixture of a fine insoluble material
or a suspension or a condition of a substance whose particles are dispersed
through a fluid but not dissolved in it. |
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64.09 | Gel: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 64.01. Subject matter wherein the material is in the form of a
gel, i.e., a jellylike substance formed by coagulation of a colloidal
solution into a solid phase.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
516, | Colloid Systems and Wetting Agents; Subcombinations
Thereof; Processes of Making, Stabilizing, Breaking, or Inhibiting,
subclasses 98+ for continuous or semicontinuous solid phase (gels,
pastes), or agents for such systems or making or stabilizing such systems
or agents, when generically claimed or when there is no hierarchically
superior provision in the USPC for the specifically claimed art. |
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64.1 | Liquid: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 64.01. Subject matter wherein the material is in the form of a
nongaseous fluid. |
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64.11 | Controlled release: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 64.01. Subject matter wherein the material is released to the environment
in which it is placed in a regulated manner.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
64.07, | for the process of coating material of this kind. |
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64.12 | Anticaking: |
| This subclass is indented under subclass 64.01. Subject matter wherein the material is treated to prevent
it from clumping, sticking together, etc.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
64.07, | for the process of coating materials of this kind. |
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CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS
900 | FOAMS: |
| This subclass is indented under the class definition. Art collection involving the material in the form of a foamlike
matter.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
516, | Colloid Systems and Wetting Agents; Subcombinations
Thereof; Processes of Making, Stabilizing, Breaking, or Inhibiting,
subclasses 10+ for discontinuous gas or vapor phase in continuous
liquid phase or agents for such systems or making or stabilizing
such systems or agents, when generically claimed or when there is
no hierarchically superior provision in the USPC for the specifically
claimed art. |
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901 | REFUSE CONDITIONING: |
| This subclass is indented under the class definition. Art collection involving the treatment of waste material
to enhance its fertilizer value. |
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902 | NITRIFICATION INHIBITION: |
| This subclass is indented under the class definition. Art collection involving the prevention of the nitrification
or denitrification activity of growth media bacteria. |
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903 | SOIL CONDITIONER: |
| This subclass is indented under the class definition. Art collection involving material having values which treat
the soil other than providing nutriments for plants.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
405, | Hydraulic and Earth Engineering,
subclass 263 for chemical earth treatment or control. |
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904 | CARRIER: |
| This subclass is indented under the class definition. Art collection involving material which serves as a substrate
for the plant nutriments. |
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