IPC Definitions - January 01, 2012
C12S - Definition
This subclass covers:
Processes using enzymes or micro-organisms to free, separate, or purify a pre-existing compound or composition such as:
Processes using enzymes or micro-organisms to clean or treat such as:
Relationship between large subject matter areas
This subclass covers processes already provided for in:
This subclass is intended to provide a basis for a complete search to be made with respect to the subject matter defined by the subclass title and, therefore, all relevant information is classified in this subclass, even if classified elsewhere.
It is desirable to add the indexing codes of subclass C12R for micro-organisms which are considered to be of interest for search.
References relevant to classification in this subclass
This subclass does not cover:
Biological treatment of water, waste water, or sewage | C02F 3/00 |
Biological treatment of sludge | C02F 11/02 |
Processes using enzymes or micro-organisms to separate optical isomers from a racemic mixture | C12P 41/00 |
Special rules of classification
In the absence of an indication to the contrary, classification is made in the last appropriate place.
In this subclass, unless specifically provided for, human, animal or plant cells, protozoa, tissues and unicellular algae are classified together with micro-organisms. Sub-cellular parts, unless specifically provided for, are classified with the whole cell.
In this subclass, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:
Enzyme | Proteinaceous materials, which cause a chemical change in a starting material without being consumed in the reaction. |
Micro-organism | comprises single-celled organisms such as bacteria, actinomycetales or single-celled fungi, e.g. yeasts; for the purposes of classification, this term also includes viruses, human, animal, or plant cells, protozoa, tissues and unicellular algae. |