|  | B |
SECTION B — PERFORMING OPERATIONS

SHAPING

|  | B32 |
LAYERED PRODUCTS

|  | B32B |
LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM

|  | B32B |
Note(s) This sub-class provides for subject-matter which is to a substantial extent covered by other classes of the Int. Cl.; to this extent it provides only a secondary classification. These other classes are, however, for the most part confined to particular kinds of substances, and this sub-class is necessary for classification of inventions of which the characteristic feature does not reside in the particular kind of substance used, or which essentially involve two or more substances or different kinds. This sub-class also provides a basis for making a complete search in respect of layered products by enabling all relevant inventions (including those in which different kinds of substances are not involved) to be classified here, at least secondarily. It is hoped that the users of the Int. Cl. will make full use of this sub-class in classifying inventions, whether or not they can be classified primarily in other classes; only thus will the greatest benefit be obtained by all. Notes on scope In this sub-class, a "layer" is a sheet or strip or anything else having a small thickness relatively 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. A film formed on a layer by spreading a substance thereon is not considered to constitute a layer itself if it serves only as an adhesive or its purpose is merely to finish a surface of a product. A layered product is usual of uniform thickness and is usually flat overall e.g. in the form of a panel or semi-finished sheet material, but it may have any other form (e.g. corrugated, box-like) in which the layered build-up resembles that which a flat sheet or panel might have This sub-class also includes a product similar to that described in (c) but comprising only sheet or network of material embedded in a mass of plastics or of physically-similar substances which mass penetrates the said material and lies on both sides of the latter (e.g. so that the material reinforces the plastic substance) provided that the embedded material extends coherently or connectedly over substantially the whole area of the product; thus the embedded material may be a fabric or a series of rods connected by cross-wires, but if the embedded material comprises only a series only a series of unconnected rods, the product is not classified here. The manner of making such a product covered by this definitions is, however, only classified here if it is essentially a process of building-up an assembly of layers of which at least one outer layer is preformed. Products formed by joining (e.g. sewing) pre-existing fabrics or other textile layers (e.g. felst) or by treating (e.g. by thickly coating) existing fabrics are included in this sub-class. A layered product may be an intermediate stage in the production of an article which is not layered in its final form, e.g. a panel with a protective layer which is stripped off when the panel is placed in its position of use. This sub-class does not include the following: Products which are fully classifiable as articles in a single other class. These products should, however, be given a secondary classification in this sub-class if features exist which are important to the subject of layered products apart form the purpose of the product, e.g. if a sheet of sandpaper has features concerning the backing or bonding which are applicable to sheets coated with non-abrasive particles. Processes and apparatus used in, or in connection with, the production or treatment of any product, if the process or apparatus is fully classifiable in a single other class for processes or apparatus, e.g. Fulltext... Hierarchy... Expanded...B05, Fulltext... Hierarchy... Expanded...B29, Fulltext... Hierarchy... Expanded...B44D, Fulltext... Hierarchy... Expanded...C09J, Fulltext... Hierarchy... Expanded...C23. Compositions and preparation or treatment thereof, unless the invention is essentially restricted to layered products and cannot be fully classified in another class without ignoring this restriction. The following observations are of importance in considering the elaborations of this sub-class: In so far as methods and apparatus are classified in this sub-class, groups designating products cover also methods and apparatus specially adapted for producing such products. The term "filamentary layer" means 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 by side and bonded together. The term "fibrous layer" means 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. For the purpose of primary classification of inventions, if there is any doubt as to which of the essential features of an invention is the most important (this is usually the most restrictive feature), the groups of this sub-class should be considered in the order in which they appear, at each level of indentation, except where the contrary is indicated by precedence notes.

|  | B32B 1/00 |
Layered products essentially having a general shape other than plane

|  | B32B 1/00 |
Note(s) For classification of a product in this group, surface unevennesses or non-uniformities and the shape of individual layers are ignored.

|  | B32B 1/02 |
· | Receptacles, e.g. tanks

|  | B32B 1/04 |
· | characterised by feature of form at particular places, e.g. in edge regions

|  | B32B 1/06 |
· | characterised by fillings or added members in hollow portions

|  | B32B 1/08 |
· | Tubular products

|  | B32B 1/10 |
· | Methods specially adapted for forming such products, e.g. by applying layers successively to a shaped base

|  | B32B 3/00 |
Layered products essentially comprising a layer with external or internal discontinuities or unevennesses, or a layer of non-planar form (continuous layers of fibres or filaments Fulltext... Hierarchy... Expanded...B32B 5/02; foamed layers Fulltext... Hierarchy... Expanded...B32B 5/18); Layered products essentially having particular features of form (Fulltext... Hierarchy... Expanded...B32B 1/00 takes precedence)

|  | B32B 3/00 |
Note(s) Channels, voids, and cavities may be filled otherwise than with air, e.g. with gas, with liquid, with other material different from that of the layer in which they occur.

|  | B32B 3/02 |
· | characterised by features of form at particular places, e.g. in edge regions

|  | B32B 3/04 |
· · | characterised by a layer folded at the edge, e.g. over another layer

|  | B32B 3/06 |
· · | for securing layers together; for attaching the product to another member, e.g. to a support (use or provision of nails, stitches, or similar separate fastening elements for these purposes Fulltext... Hierarchy... Expanded...B32B 7/08)

|  | B32B 3/08 |
· · | characterised by added members at particular parts

|  | B32B 3/10 |
· | characterised by a discontinuous layer, i.e. apertured or formed of separate pieces of material

|  | B32B 3/10 |
Note(s) A series of spaced separate elements forming in effect a broken surface should be regarded as a layer.

|  | B32B 3/12 |
· · | characterised by a layer of regularly-arranged cells whether integral or formed individually or by conjunction of separate strips, e.g. honeycomb structure

|  | B32B 3/14 |
· · | characterised by a face layer formed of separate pieces of material

|  | B32B 3/16 |
· · · | secured to a flexible backing

|  | B32B 3/18 |
· · | characterised by an internal layer formed of separate pieces of material

|  | B32B 3/20 |
· · · | of hollow pieces, e.g. tubes; of pieces with channels or cavities

|  | B32B 3/22 |
· · · | of spaced pieces

|  | B32B 3/24 |
· · | characterised by an apertured layer, e.g. of expanded metal (layer of netting or fibres Fulltext... Hierarchy... Expanded...B32B 5/02)

|  | B32B 3/26 |
· | characterised by a particular shape of the outline of the cross-section of a continuous layer; characterised by a layer with cavities or internal voids (regular cells Fulltext... Hierarchy... Expanded...B32B 3/12)

|  | B32B 3/28 |
· · | characterised by a layer comprising a deformed thin sheet, e.g. corrugated, crumpled

|  | B32B 3/30 |
· · | characterised by a layer formed with recesses or projections, e.g. grooved, ribbed

|  | B32B 5/00 |
Layered products characterised by the non-homogeneity or physical structure of a layer (Fulltext... Hierarchy... Expanded...Fulltext... Hierarchy... Expanded...B32B 9/00-B32B 29/00 take precedence)

|  | B32B 5/00 |
Note(s) Fibres, filaments, granules, or powder forming or included in a layer may be impregnated, bonded together, or embedded in a substance such as synthetic resin. If the substance of the fibres, etc., or the impregnating, bonding, or embedding substance, is important it is classified in the relevant group for the substance.

|  | B32B 5/02 |
· | Layered products characterised by structural features of a layer comprising fibres or filaments (layer of fibrous particles, e.g. chopped-up fibres, Fulltext... Hierarchy... Expanded...B32B 5/16)

|  | B32B 5/02 |
Note(s) This group covers, in addition to filamentary and fibrous layers as defined in Note (3), layers of substances having an intrinsic fibrous nature (e.g. paper, wood), if the fibrous nature is important and the particular substance, per se, is not important.

|  | B32B 5/04 |
· · | characterised by a layer being specifically extensible by reason of its structure or arrangement

|  | B32B 5/06 |
· · | characterised by a fibrous layer needled to another layer, e.g. of fibres, of paper

|  | B32B 5/08 |
· · | the fibres or filaments of a layer being specially arranged or being of different substances

|  | B32B 5/10 |
· · | characterised by a fibrous layer reinforced with filaments

|  | B32B 5/12 |
· · | characterised by the relative arrangement of fibres or filaments of adjacent layers

|  | B32B 5/14 |
· | characterised by a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts, e.g. denser near its faces

|  | B32B 5/16 |
· | characterised by features of a layer formed of particles, e.g. chips, chopped fibres, powder

|  | B32B 5/18 |
· | characterised by features of a layer containing foamed or specifically porous material

|  | B32B 5/20 |
· · | foamed in situ

|  | B32B 5/22 |
· | characterised by the presence of two or more layers which comprise fibres, filaments, granules, or powder, or are foamed or specifically porous

|  | B32B 5/24 |
· · | one layer being a fibrous or filamentary layer

|  | B32B 5/26 |
· · · | another layer also being fibrous or filamentary

|  | B32B 5/28 |
· · · | impregnated with or embedded in a plastic substance

|  | B32B 5/30 |
· · | one layer comprising granules or powder

|  | B32B 5/32 |
· · | both layers being foamed or specifically porous

|  | B32B 7/00 |
Layered products characterised by the relation between layers, i. e. products essentially comprising layers having different physical properties and products characterised by the interconnection of layers (in respect of orientation of features, see the relevant groups for the features concerned, e.g. Fulltext... Hierarchy... Expanded...B32B 5/02 for direction of fibres; in respect of substances Fulltext... Hierarchy... Expanded...Fulltext... Hierarchy... Expanded...B32B 9/00-B32B 29/00)

|  | B32B 7/02 |
· | in respect of physical properties, e.g. hardness

|  | B32B 7/04 |
· | characterised by the connection of layers

|  | B32B 7/06 |
· · | permitting easy separation

|  | B32B 7/08 |
· · | by mechanical connection, e.g. stitching (by interengagement of layers Fulltext... Hierarchy... Expanded...B32B 3/00, e.g. Fulltext... Hierarchy... Expanded...B32B 3/04, Fulltext... Hierarchy... Expanded...B32B 3/06, Fulltext... Hierarchy... Expanded...B32B 3/30; by needling fibrous layers Fulltext... Hierarchy... Expanded...B32B 5/06)

|  | B32B 7/10 |
· · | one or both of the layers having adhesive or inter-reactive properties

|  | B32B 7/12 |
· · | using an adhesive

|  | B32B 7/14 |
· · · | applied in stripes or other spaced arrangement

|  | B32B 9/00 - B32B 29/00 |
Layered products characterised by particular substances used

|  | B32B 9/00 - B32B 29/00 |
Note(s) In the groups under this heading: the term "specific substance" covers specified alternative substances if they are all covered by a single main group; the term "particulate layer" means a layer of particles, e.g. chips, chopped fibres, powder.

|  | B32B 9/00 |
Products essentially comprising a particular substance not covered by groups Fulltext... Hierarchy... Expanded...Fulltext... Hierarchy... Expanded...B32B 11/00-B32B 29/00

|  | B32B 9/02 |
· | comprising animal or vegetable substances

|  | B32B 9/04 |
· | comprising such substance as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific substance

|  | B32B 9/06 |
· · | of paper or cardboard

|  | B32B 11/00 |
Products essentially comprising bituminous or tarry substances

|  | B32B 11/02 |
· | with fibres or particles embedded in it or bonded with it

|  | B32B 11/04 |
· | comprising such substance as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific substance

|  | B32B 11/06 |
· · | of paper or cardboard

|  | B32B 11/08 |
· · | of metal

|  | B32B 11/10 |
· | next to a fibrous or filamentary layer

|  | B32B 11/12 |
· | next to a particulate layer

|  | B32B 13/00 |
Products essentially comprising a water-setting substance, e.g. concrete, plaster, asbestos cement, or like builders' material

|  | B32B 13/02 |
· | with fibres or particles embedded in it or bonded with it

|  | B32B 13/04 |
· | comprising such substances as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific substance

|  | B32B 13/06 |
· · | of metal

|  | B32B 13/08 |
· · | of paper or cardboard

|  | B32B 13/10 |
· · | of wood; of wood particle board

|  | B32B 13/12 |
· · | of synthetic resin

|  | B32B 13/14 |
· | next to a fibrous or filamentary layer

|  | B32B 15/00 |
Products essentially comprising metal

|  | B32B 15/02 |
· | in a form other than a sheet, e.g. wire, particles

|  | B32B 15/04 |
· | comprising metal as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific substance

|  | B32B 15/06 |
· · | of rubber

|  | B32B 15/08 |
· · | of synthetic resin

|  | B32B 15/10 |
· · | of wood

|  | B32B 15/12 |
· · | of paper or cardboard

|  | B32B 15/14 |
· | next to a fibrous or filamentary layer

|  | B32B 15/16 |
· | next to a particulate layer

|  | B32B 15/18 |
· | comprising iron or steel

|  | B32B 15/20 |
· | comprising aluminium or copper

|  | B32B 17/00 |
Products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag or like fibres

|  | B32B 17/02 |
· | in the form of fibres or filaments

|  | B32B 17/04 |
· · | bonded with or embedded in a plastic substance

|  | B32B 17/06 |
· | comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific substance

|  | B32B 17/08 |
· · | of cellulosic plastic substance

|  | B32B 17/10 |
· · | of synthetic resin

|  | B32B 17/12 |
· | next to a fibrous or filamentary layer

|  | B32B 19/00 |
Products essentially comprising natural mineral fibres or particles, e.g. asbestos, mica

|  | B32B 19/02 |
· | bonded with or embedded in a plastic substance

|  | B32B 19/04 |
· | next to another layer of a specific substance

|  | B32B 19/06 |
· | next to a fibrous or filamentary layer

|  | B32B 19/08 |
· | comprising asbestos

|  | B32B 21/00 |
Products essentially comprising wood, e.g. wood board, veneer, wood particle board

|  | B32B 21/02 |
· | in the form of fibres, chips, or particles

|  | B32B 21/04 |
· | comprising wood as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific substance

|  | B32B 21/06 |
· · | of paper or cardboard

|  | B32B 21/08 |
· · | of synthetic resin; of fibre-reinforced resin

|  | B32B 21/10 |
· | Next to a fibrous or filamentary layer

|  | B32B 21/12 |
· | next to a particulate layer

|  | B32B 21/14 |
· | comprising wood board or veneer

|  | B32B 23/00 |
Products essentially comprising cellulosic plastic substances

|  | B32B 23/02 |
· | in the form of fibres or filaments

|  | B32B 23/04 |
· | comprising such substance as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific substance

|  | B32B 23/06 |
· · | of paper or cardboard

|  | B32B 23/08 |
· · | of synthetic resin

|  | B32B 23/10 |
· | next to a fibrous or filamentary layer

|  | B32B 23/12 |
· | next to a particulate layer

|  | B32B 23/14 |
· | characterised by containing special compounding ingredients

|  | B32B 23/16 |
· · | modifying agents

|  | B32B 23/18 |
· · | fillers

|  | B32B 23/20 |
· | comprising esters

|  | B32B 23/22 |
· | comprising ethers

|  | B32B 25/00 |
Products essentially comprising natural or synthetic rubber

|  | B32B 25/02 |
· | with fibres or particles embedded in it or bonded with it

|  | B32B 25/04 |
· | comprising rubber as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific substance

|  | B32B 25/06 |
· · | of paper or cardboard

|  | B32B 25/08 |
· · | of synthetic resin

|  | B32B 25/10 |
· | next to a fibrous or filamentary layer

|  | B32B 25/12 |
· | comprising natural rubber

|  | B32B 25/14 |
· | comprising copolymers in which synthetic rubber constituents predominate

|  | B32B 25/16 |
· | comprising polydienes or poly-halodienes

|  | B32B 25/18 |
· | comprising butyl or halobutyl rubber

|  | B32B 25/20 |
· | comprising silicone rubber

|  | B32B 27/00 |
Products essentially comprising synthetic resin

|  | B32B 27/02 |
· | in the form of fibres or filaments

|  | B32B 27/04 |
· | as impregnant, bonding, or embedding substance

|  | B32B 27/06 |
· | as the main or only constituent of a layer next to another layer of a specific substance

|  | B32B 27/08 |
· · | of synthetic resin of a different kind

|  | B32B 27/10 |
· · | of paper or cardboard

|  | B32B 27/12 |
· | next to a fibrous or filamentary layer

|  | B32B 27/14 |
· | next to a particulate layer

|  | B32B 27/16 |
· | specially treated, e.g. irradiated

|  | B32B 27/18 |
· | characterised by the use of special additives

|  | B32B 27/20 |
· · | using fillers, pigments, thixotroping agents

|  | B32B 27/22 |
· · | using plasticisers

|  | B32B 27/24 |
· · | using solvents or swelling agents

|  | B32B 27/26 |
· · | using curing agents

|  | B32B 27/28 |
· | comprising copolymers of synthetic resins not wholly covered by any one of the following sub-groups

|  | B32B 27/30 |
· | comprising vinyl resin; comprising acrylic resin

|  | B32B 27/32 |
· | comprising polyolefins

|  | B32B 27/34 |
· | comprising polyamides

|  | B32B 27/36 |
· | comprising polyesters

|  | B32B 27/38 |
· | comprising epoxy resin

|  | B32B 27/40 |
· | comprising polyurethanes

|  | B32B 27/42 |
· | comprising melamine, urea, phenol, or similar aldehyde condensation resins

|  | B32B 29/00 |
Products essentially comprising paper or cardboard

|  | B32B 29/02 |
· | next to a fibrous or filamentary layer

|  | B32B 29/04 |
· | next to a particulate layer

|  | B32B 29/06 |
· | specially treated, e.g. surfaced, parchmentised

|  | B32B 31/00 |
Making layered products (making non-planar products Fulltext... Hierarchy... Expanded...B32B 1/00; making products characterised by particular features of structure or of composition, see the relevant groups for such products)

|  | B32B 31/00 |
Note(s) Layered products may also be classified here if the invention does not reside in their structure or composition per se.

|  | B32B 31/02 |
· | involving assembly of a non-flat intermediate product, e.g. forming a tube and then flattening it

|  | B32B 31/04 |
· | characterised by assembling pre-formed layers

|  | B32B 31/06 |
· · | accompanied by formation of a layer between them

|  | B32B 31/08 |
· · | involving the assembly of two or more webs of indefinite length

|  | B32B 31/10 |
· · | involving the assembly of a web or webs together with a succession of separate panels or pieces of material

|  | B32B 31/12 |
· · | combined with coating or other treatment of a layer before or during assembly

|  | B32B 31/14 |
· | characterised by treatment of assembled layers

|  | B32B 31/16 |
· · | mechanically

|  | B32B 31/18 |
· · · | by cutting or otherwise severing

|  | B32B 31/20 |
· · · | by pressing, with or without heat

|  | B32B 31/22 |
· · · | by surface treatment

|  | B32B 31/24 |
· · | non-mechanically

|  | B32B 31/26 |
· · · | by heat (Fulltext... Hierarchy... Expanded...B32B 31/20 takes precedence)

|  | B32B 31/28 |
· · · | by radiation other than infra-red

|  | B32B 31/30 |
· | characterised by layered material being formed by means of extruding apparatus

|  | B32B 33/00 |
Layered products characterised by particular properties or particular surface features, e.g. particular surface coatings (surface unevennesses or non-uniformities Fulltext... Hierarchy... Expanded...B32B 3/00); Layered products designed for particular purposes not covered by another single class

|  | B32B 35/00 |
Operations or devices concerned specially with layered products and not otherwise provided for, e.g. for repairing