|  | 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 usually 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 ressembles 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.