IPC Definitions - January 01, 2012

C12H - Definition fr

Definition statement

This subclass covers:

Pasteurisation, sterilisation, preservation, purification, clarification or ageing of alcoholic beverages.

Removal of alcohol from alcoholic beverages to obtain alcohol-free or low-alcohol beverages.

Relationship between large subject matter areas

Beer per se, brewing of beer, fermentation processes and post fermentation treatments for beer are classified in subclass C12C.

While subclass C12C deals with the process of making beer with a low alcohol content, C12H includes the process of removal of alcohol from beer to obtain low-alcohol or alcohol-free beer.

Wine, other alcoholic beverages and their preparation are classified in subclass C12G.

While subclass C12G deals with deacidifying wine, preventing winestone precipitation or flavouring to simulate ageing, C12H includes pasteurisation, sterilisation, preservation, purification, clarification, ageing of alcoholic beverages or removal of alcohol therefrom.

When classifying in this subclass, classification is also made in group B01D 15/08 insofar as subject matter of general interest relating to chromatography is concerned.

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:

Recovery of by- products of wine or beer other than low-alcohol beverages

C12F 3/06

Deacidification of wine

C12G 1/10

Prevention of winestone precipitation

C12G 1/12

Simulation of ageing by flavouring

C12G 3/06

Preparation of alcoholic beverages other than wine or beer by varying the composition of fermented solutions

C12G 3/08

Informative references

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

Preservation of foods or foodstuffs, in general

A23L 3/00

Distillation or rectification of fermented solutions to obtain pure alcohol

B01D 3/00

Glossary of terms

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

Adsorption

Capability of all solid substances to attract to their surfaces molecules of gases or solutions with which they are in contact.

Clarification

Removal of the suspended material during aging.

Lagering

Ageing or ripening of the beer by storing. During lagering, fermentation and clarification take place.

Sulfiting

Process for adding sulfur dioxide (SO2).