IPC Definitions - January 01, 2012
B32B - Definition
This subclass covers:
Layered products comprising different kinds of material.
Layered products not characterized by the kind of material used.
Products similar to layered products but comprising only material in the form of a sheet or network embedded in a mass of plastics or of physically-similar substances which mass penetrates the said sheet or network and lies on both sides of the latter (e.g. so that the sheet or network reinforces the plastics substance) provided that the embedded sheet or network extends coherently or connectedly over substantially the whole area of the product; thus the embedded sheet or network may be a fabric or a series of rods connected by cross wires.
Methods or apparatus for making layered products; Method or apparatus for treating layers or layered products either preliminary to or subsequent to their manufacture.
Relationship between large subject matter areas
The classification of layered products is provided for in many places, most of which are confined to a particular kind of material. However, in order that this subclass may provide a basis for making a complete search with respect to layered products, any similar layered products that specify relevant useful information are classified in this subclass even though it may also be classified in other classes.
However, this subclass does not cover:
References relevant to classification in this subclass
This subclass does not cover:
Etched metallic patterns on the surface of a printed circuit board | H05K 1/00 |
Special rules of classification
In groups B32B 1/00-B32B 33/00, at each level of indentation, in the absence of an indication to the contrary, classification is made in the first appropriate place.
In groups B32B 9/00-B32B 29/00 a "specific substance" covers specified alternative substances if they are all covered by a single main group.
Layered products are classified in groups B32B 37/00 or B32B 38/00 if not characterized by their structure or composition.
In this subclass, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:
adhesive | substance applied in any state or in any manner, which is incorporated for the purpose of bonding. |
laminating | the combining of a base layer formed from a sheet (e.g., a fabric) or network (e.g., a series of rods connected by cross wires) of material and a mass of plastic, or another physically similar substance, that surrounds or embeds the base layer (i.e., it covers at least the outer surfaces of the opposite elongated sides of the layer) by encasement or penetration of the layer. |
partial laminating | laminating wherein one layer does not fully cover a surface of another layer. |
layer | sheet or strip or stratum having a small thickness relative to its other dimensions which, together with at least one other layer, exists in a product, whether it pre-existed, e.g. as a separate sheet or strip, or was formed during the production of the layered product. It may or may not be homogeneous or cohesive; it may be an assembly of fibres or pieces of material. It may be discontinuous, e.g. in the form of a grating, honeycomb, or frame. It may or may not be in complete contact with the next layer, e.g. a corrugated layer against a flat layer. |
layered product | product composed of layers (continuous, discontinuous, or with gaps) of any form (e.g., honeycomb, corrugated) secured together in any way. Normally of substantially uniform thickness overall (i.e., ignoring local variations such as are produced by a corrugated face layer); may be in the form of an article, e.g., a container. This term is of wider scope than "laminate", covering material with voids between or in any layer. |
filamentary layer | a layer of threads or filaments of any substance (e.g. wires) of more or less unlimited length placed in an orderly arrangement and secured together; it may be woven, knitted, braided, or netted, or formed of threads crossed or laid side and bonded together. |
fibrous layer | a random assembly of fibres or filaments, usually of limited length, e.g. felt, fleece; the fibres may or may not be interengaged or connected, e.g. by adhesive. |
particulate layer | layer that is composed from numerous small separate particles, e.g. chips, finely chopped fibres, powder. |
film | formed on a layer by spreading a substance thereon; a film is not considered to constitute a layer itself if it serves only as an adhesive or it purpose is merely to finish the surface of a layer. |