(0)ENT:255/0:

59.	When it is doubtful whether to classify a technical subject in a function-oriented place or in an application place, the following should be observed:

(a)	If a particular application is specified, but not considered to constitute the essential technical characteristics of the subject, classification is made in the function-oriented place, if available. This is likely to be the case when several applications are specified.

(b)

If the essential technical characteristics of the subject relate both to the intrinsic nature or function of a thing and to its particular use, or its special adaptation to or incorporation into a larger system, classification is made in both the function-oriented place and the application place, if available.

Example:

60.	When classifying a larger system as a whole, attention should be given to parts or details thereof which are not trivial and may be of general use. Classification of both is necessary.

When a document is concerned with the incorporation of a given thing, e.g., a leaf spring, into a larger system, e.g., a vehicle wheel suspension, it is therefore concerned with the larger system and should be classified in the place for this system (B 60 G). If the document is also concerned with the thing itself, i.e., the leaf spring as such, it is also necessary to classify the document in the place for the thing itself (F 16 F).

Example:

61.	When classifying or searching in a place indicated by any one of the categories referred to in paragraph 53, above, the existence of a place for the subject being classified or searched in other places indicated by other categories should always be borne in mind.

Filters in general are classified in subclass B 01 D, but filters specially adapted for particular purposes, or in combination with other apparatus, are classified in application places, e.g., A 01 J 11/06, A 47 J 31/06, D 01 D 1/10.

62.

When using the Classification, it has to be borne in mind that, as is apparent from paragraphs 63 to 69, below, the technical subject of an invention may be expressed in different forms. If, for one of these forms, no distinct place has been provided in the Classification, the most appropriate one of the places existing for the other forms is used for classifying.

Chemical Compounds

63.

When the subject of the invention concerns a chemical compound (organic, inorganic or macromolecular), it is classified in section C according to its intrinsic nature, i.e., according to its chemical structure. When it also concerns a specific field of use, it is also classified in the place provided for that field of use, if such field of use constitutes an essential technical characteristic of the subject and an appropriate place exists. However, when the subject of the invention concerns only the application of a compound, it is classified only in the place covering the field of use.

Chemical Mixtures or Compositions

64.

A chemical mixture or composition forming the subject of the invention is classified in a place according to the intrinsic nature of the mixture or composition if such a place exists, e.g., C 03 C (glass), C 04 B (cement, ceramics), C 08 L (compositions of organic macromolecular compounds), C 22 C (alloys). If such a place does not exist, it is classified according to its use or application. If, however, the use or application constitutes an essential technical characteristic of the subject of the invention, a mixture or composition is classified according to both intrinsic nature and use or application.

Preparation or Treatment of Compounds

65.

When the subject of the invention concerns a process of preparation or treatment of a chemical compound, it is classified in the place for the type of compound concerned. If places exist for the process of preparation or treatment, it is also classified therein. General processes for the preparation, or treatment, of classes of compounds are classified in the groups for the processes employed, when such groups exist.

Apparatus or Processes

66.

When the subject of the invention concerns an apparatus or process for the making or treatment of articles of manufacture, it is classified in the place dealing with the process or operation involved or the apparatus used. If no place exists for the apparatus, it is classified in the place for the process performed by the apparatus. If no place exists for the process, it is classified in the place dealing with the apparatus for performing the process. If neither place exists, it is classified in the places dealing with the articles of manufacture as such.

Articles of Manufacture

67.	When the subject of the invention concerns an article, it is classified in the place dealing with the article. If no place exists for the article itself, it is classified in an appropriate function-oriented place or, if not possible, according to the field of use.

Multistep Processes, Plants

68.

When the subject of the invention concerns multistep processes or plants in which the essential characteristic resides in the combination of process steps or apparatus, it is classified as a whole, i.e., in a place provided for such combination, e.g., subclass B 09 B. If no such place exists, it is classified in a place dealing with the product obtained by such combination. When the subject of the invention concerns also an individual element of the combination, the element is classified separately.

Details, Constructional Parts

69.

When constructional or functional details or parts are only applicable to, or only of use for, one specific kind of apparatus, they are classified only in the place for that apparatus. However, when distinct places are provided for different kinds of apparatus, there may sometimes be special places provided for constructional or functional details or parts of such apparatus, which are applicable to more than one of the different kinds of apparatus. Such constructional or functional details or parts are classified in those places, which may appear either as a main group (see, for example, in A 45 B, where 11/00 to 23/00 cover the various kinds of umbrella, while 25/00 covers details of umbrellas applicable to more than one kind of umbrella) or as a subgroup within a main group (see, for example, H 04 B 3/02 which covers details applicable to different types of line transmission systems, while H 04 B 3/52 covers details applicable to line transmission systems for transmission between fixed stations via waveguides, and H 04 B 1/00 covers details applicable to, for example, both line transmission systems, covered by 3/00, and radio transmission systems, covered by 7/00).

More than one Technical Subject; One Subject Covered by Several Groups; General Chemical Formulae (so-called "Markush"-Type Formulae)

70.

When the invention is immediately and essentially concerned with more than one technical subject (see paragraphs 82 and 83, below), each being covered by a different group, the symbol of each of these groups is allotted. In case one and the same technical subject is covered by more than one group under the same main group and at the same level of indentation, but resides merely in the combination of matter covered by each of those groups separately without the matter itself being of interest for search purposes, for example, a multistep process, an apparatus or mixture described by its constituent parts, classification should be in the hierarchically higher group unless a specific group is provided for such combination. However, if the technical subject is covered by groups under different main groups, and there is not provided a "general" main group, as mentioned in paragraph 35, above, or referred to in paragraphs 68 and 69, above, the symbols of each of these groups should be allotted. For general chemical formulae (so-called "Markush"-type formulae), see the next paragraph.

71.	In respect of general chemical formulae (so-called "Markush"-type formulae),

(a)	when the invention is concerned with organic compounds defined by a general chemical formula, the following classifying procedure is applied:

Step 1:

The general formula is classified as a whole only when it can be accommodated within a small number of classification places (for example, in no more than five places).

Step 2:

All fully identified compounds are classified if they are

(i)	claimed specifically, as such or in a composition,

(ii)	products of a claimed process, or

(iii)

derivatives of any of these.

By "fully identified" is meant a compound or product where

(a)	the structure is given by name or formula, or can be deduced from its preparation from specified reactants, not more than one of which is selected from a list of alternatives, and

(b)	the compound or product is characterised in the document by a physical property (for example, the melting point), or its preparation is described in a worked example giving practical details.

Step 3:

Other disclosures are classified if they are considered to constitute useful information to the searcher.

(b)

when complete classification would lead to a high number of classification symbols, it may be necessary to limit that number of symbols, e.g., when compounds to be classified fall into the majority or all of the subgroups under one and the same hierarchically higher group, in which case classification is made under the said higher group only. Otherwise, classification is made under all appropriate subgroups, and not under the said higher group.

APPROACH TO CLASSIFYING

72.	In order to determine the appropriate classification of a technical subject, a systematic approach should be adopted and followed step by step, i.e,

(a)

the relevant section may first be identified, then the class and subclass, and finally, the main group or the lowest order subgroup which is still wide enough in scope to cover the essential characteristics of the technical subject to be classified, always bearing in mind that the scope of any group can never exceed the scope of its less indented group or that of its subclass;

(b)	as an alternative, a group may be identified directly, for example, by using the Catchword Index to the Classification. In that case, the hierarchically higher places should be considered in order to verify the correctness of that group.

73.

In certain places of the Classification, some particular classifying rules are specified. The purpose of these rules is to limit multiple classification, to improve consistency and to facilitate searching without harming its quality. The places where such rules apply are clearly marked by a note at the highest place covered by such classifying rules. Such rules are:

In each part of the Classification (class, subclass or group), where this rule applies, this rule is clearly set out in a note specific to the subject matter concerned. For example, see the relevant notes in A 61 K, C 07, C 08 G, C 10 M, G 07 D 5/00.

The "last place rule" is in effect a systematic precedence rule which obviates the need for separate precedence in each of the places concerned.

(a)	Last Place Rule - In certain parts or places of the Classification, where a particular technical subject is covered by two or more places of the same hierarchical level or indentation, a "last place rule" has been introduced. According to this rule, such a technical subject is only classified in the place which appears last in the Classification. This rule is applied successively at each hierarchical level or indentation at which the technical subject in question is covered by two or more places; thereafter, the selection of the appropriate place follows the rule set forth in paragraph 72, above.

(b)	Other Rules - In a limited number of places in the Classification other particular rules exist which are clearly specified in notes at the places concerned, e.g., B 32 B, C 04 B 38/00, C 08 L, G 05 D.