IPC Definitions - January 01, 2012

C08L - Definition fr

Definition statement

This subclass covers:

Compositions of macromolecular compounds, either with other macromolecular compounds or with other ingredients, including compositions of polysaccharides, rubbers or natural macromolecular compounds.

The use of macromolecular substances as compounding ingredients.

The above compositions and uses may involve macromolecular substances obtained by reactions which may or may not involve only carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds and compositions.

Relationship between large subject matter areas

Relationship with other subclasses of class C08 and C09

Subclasses C08B to C08L are generally function-oriented subclasses in relation to the polymers per se, while C09D to C09K are application-oriented subclasses in relation to the said polymers.

Polysaccharides per se and their derivatives are classified in C08B.

Treatment and chemical modification of rubbers, including conjugated diene rubbers, are classified in C08C – however synthesis of rubbers and treatment or chemical modification of non-rubbers are classified in subclasses C08F or C08G.

Macromolecular compounds per se obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds (usually known as addition polymers) are in C08F. Compositions based on monomers of such polymers are also in C08F.

Macromolecular compounds per se obtained otherwise than by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds (usually known as condensation polymers) are classified in C08G. Compositions based on monomers of such polymers are also classified in C08G.

Derivatives of natural macromolecular polymers per se, e.g. derived from proteins or vulcanised oils, are classified in C08H.

Working-up, general processes of compounding and after-treatment are covered by subclass C08J. These include making solutions, dispersions etc., plasticising, compounding with additives, e.g. colouring or masterbatching, crosslinking, manufacture of articles or shaped materials, chemical treatment or coating of such articles, making porous, cellular or foamed materials, and recovery or working up of waste materials.

Use or choice of inorganic or non-macromolecular organic materials as compounding agents are classified in C08K, any macromolecular components are classified in C08L.

Coating compositions and other polymer compositions for similar uses, e.g. paints, inks, woodstains and printing pastes, are classified in C09D.

C09G covers the application of the compositions of C08L when used as polishes.

Adhesives and adhesive processes are classified in C09J.

Materials used in applications not otherwise provided for, are classified in C09K. These include sealing or anti-slip materials, heat-transfer, heat-exchange or heat-storage materials, drilling compositions, luminescent or tenebrescent materials, etching, surface-brightening or pickling materials, antioxidant materials, soil-conditioning or soil-stabilising materials, liquid crystal or fireproofing materials.

Multiple classification

Application of macromolecular compositions as biocides, pest-repellants, pest-attractants, or plant growth activity regulators is further classified in subclass A01P.

Therapeutic activity of macromolecular compounds is further classified in subclass A61P.

The use of cosmetics or similar toilet preparations is further classified in subclass A61Q.

Processes using enzymes or micro-organisms in order to (i) liberate, separate or purify a pre-existing compound or composition, or to (ii) treat textiles or clean solid surfaces of materials, are further classified in subclass C12S.

References relevant to classification in this subclass

This subclass does not cover:

Artificial filaments or fibres

D01F

Treatment of textiles

D06L-D06Q
Examples of places where the subject matter of this class is covered when specially adapted, used for a particular purpose, or incorporated in a larger system:

Application of macromolecular compositions as pesticides or herbicides

A01N

Application of macromolecular compositions as pharmaceutical compositions or cosmetics

A61K

Application of macromolecular compositions as explosive compositions

C06B

Application of macromolecular compositions in coating compositions

C09D

Application of macromolecular compositions in adhesive compositions

C09J

Application of macromolecular compositions in lubricants

C10M

Detergents

C11D

Informative references

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

Liquid crystal compositions

C09K 19/00

Layered products

B32B

Electrolytic processes, e.g. electrophoresis

C25

Special rules of classification

In this subclass:

The macromolecular component which is present in the highest proportion by weight is classified first.

If two or more components are present in equal weight, then each is classified.

If such a component is an addition polymer containing two or more monomers, it is classified according to the monomer present in the greatest amount.

If such a component is a condensation polymer contains two or more different types of linkages, it is classified according to the linkage present in the greatest amount.

Multiple classification

The following multiple classification rules apply in this subclass:

Any macromolecular components not identified by the classification above, and where the use of such components is determined to be novel and non-obvious, must be classified as "invention information".

Any macromolecular components not identified by the classifications above, and where the use of such macromolecular components is considered to represent information of interest for search, may also be classified as "additional information".

Examples:

A blend of 80 parts polyethylene and 20 parts polyvinyl chloride would be classified first in C08L 23/06. Classification in C08L 27/06 as invention information is done if the use of PVC is novel and non-obvious, otherwise classification in C08L 27/06 as additional information may be done if deemed of interest for search.

A blend of 60 parts polyethylene-co-propylene (55 parts ethylene, 45 parts propylene) and 40 parts polyvinyl alcohol is classified first as a copolymer of ethylene because the copolymer is present in the greatest amount even though the proportion of ethylene in the whole blend is lower than that of polyvinyl alcohol.

Glossary of terms

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

Addition polymers

Polymers in which unsaturated monomer molecules join together to form a polymer in which the molecular formula of the repeat unit is identical (except for the double bond) with that of the monomer.

Aliphatic radical

Means an acyclic or non-aromatic carbocyclic carbon skeleton which is considered to be terminated by every bond to:

an element other than carbon;

a carbon atom having a double bond to one atom other than carbon;

an aromatic carbocyclic ring or a heterocyclic ring.

Examples: Polymers of

CH2=CH-O-CH2-CH2-NH-COO- CH2 - CH2-OH are classified in group C08F 16/28;

CH2=CH-CO-CH=CH2 are classified in group C08F 16/36;

CH2=CH-C6H4-Cl are classified in group C08F 12/18.

Block polymers

Polymers formed by polymerization of monomers on to a macromolecule having groups capable of inducing the formation of new polymer chains bound at one or both ends of the starting macromolecule, or by polymerization using successively different catalyst types or successively different monomer systems without deactivating the intermediate polymer.

Condensation polymers

Polymers in which water or some other simple molecule is eliminated from 2 or more monomer molecules as they combine to form the polymer or crosslinks between polymer chains.

Copolymer

Usually denotes a polymer of 2 chemically distinct monomers, and sometimes denotes a terpolymer containing more than 2 types of monomer unit.

Graft polymers

Macromolecular compounds obtained by polymerizing monomers on to preformed polymers or on to inorganic materials. Such preformed polymers could be rubbers, polysaccharides, condensation polymers, homopolymers or copolymers of the addition polymer type.

Homopolymers

Polymers resulting from the polymerisation of a single monomer or polymer with a single type of repeating unit.

Repeat(ing) unit

The unit in an addition polymer which is repeated throughout the molecule; for example in polyethylene the repeat unit is:

–CH2-CH2-

Rubber

a. Natural or conjugated diene rubbers;

b. Rubber in general.

Synonyms and Keywords

In patent documents the following abbreviations are often used:

ABS

Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer

AIBN

Azoisobutyronitrile (initiator)

AMMA

Acrylonitrile-methyl methacrylate copolymer

AMPS

Acrylamidomethylpropanesulfonic acid

BR

Butadiene rubber

CTFE

Chloro-trifluoroethylene

DVB

Divinylbenzene

EAA

Ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer

EPDM

Ethylene-propylene-diene-monomer

EPR

Ethylene-propylene rubber

EVOH

Ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer

HDPE

High-density polyethylene

HEMA

Hydroxyethyl methacrylate

LLDPE

Linear low-density polyethylene

PAN

Polyacrylonitrile

PEEK

Polyetherether ketone, also named polyetheresterketone

PEI

Polyethylenimine

PMMA

Polymethyl methacrylate

PPE

Polyphenylene ether

PPO

Polyphenylene oxide or polypropylene oxide

PPS

Polyphenylene sulphide

PTFE

Polytetrafluoroethylene

PUR

Polyurethane

PVA

Can mean polyvinyl alcohol or polyvinyl acetate

PVAC

Polyvinyl acetate

PVOH

Polyvinyl alcohol

PVP

Polyvinyl pyrrolidone

SAN

Styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer

SBR

Styrene-butadiene rubber

SBS

Styrene-butadiene-styrene block terpolymer

TAC

Triallyl cyanurate