B
SECTION B — PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  
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)

  1. This subclass covers:
    • layered products comprising different kinds of material or where the characteristic feature of the invention does not reside in the particular kind of material used;
    • a product similar to a layered product 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. The manner of making such a product is, however, classified in this subclass only if it is essentially a process of building-up an assembly of layers of which at least one outer layer is preformed. If the embedded material comprises only a series of unconnected rods, the product is not classified in this subclass.
  2. This subclass does notcover:
  3. In this subclass:
    • 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;
    • groups designating products cover also methods or apparatus specially adapted for producing such products.
  4. In this subclass, the following terms or expressions are used with the meanings indicated:
    • "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;
    • "layered product" comprises at least two layers secured together. The term "secured" includes any method of uniting layers, e.g. needling, stitching, gluing, nailing, dovetailing or the interposition of an adhesive or adhesive impregnated support. It may also 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. The layers are preformed layers or layers formed in situ on a preformed layer and may consist of coherent solid materials, including honeycombs and other cellular materials or of non-coherent solid materials composed of assemblies of strands, strips, fibres, tiles or the like;
    • "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 and bonded together;
    • "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.
  5. In this subclass, at each level of indentation, in the absence of an indication to the contrary, an invention is classified in the first appropriate place.
  6. The classification of layered products is provided for in many classes, 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, all relevant inventions are classified in this subclass even though they may also be classified in other classes.
 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 B32B 5/02; foamed layers B32B 5/18); Layered products essentially having particular features of form (B32B 1/00 takes precedence)
 B32B 3/00

Note(s)

In this group, 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 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)

In this group, 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 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 B32B 3/12)
 B32B 3/28
·  ·  characterised by a layer comprising a deformed thin sheet, e.g. corrugated, crumpled (B32B 29/08 takes precedence)  [3]
 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 (B32B 9/00-B32B 29/00 take precedence)
 B32B 5/00

Note(s)

In this group, 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, or the like, or the impregnating, bonding, or embedding substance, is important it is classified in the relevant group for the substance.

 B32B 5/02
·  characterised by structural features of a layer comprising fibres or filaments (formed of particles, e.g. chips, chopped fibres, powder, B32B 5/16)
 B32B 5/02 - 
B32B 5/12

Note(s)

Groups B32B 5/02-B32B 5/12 cover, in addition to filamentary and fibrous layers as defined in Note (4) following the title of this subclass, 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 or products characterised by the interconnection of layers (in respect of orientation of features, see the relevant groups for the features concerned, e.g. B32B 5/02 for direction of fibres; in respect of substances 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 B32B 3/00, e.g. B32B 3/04, B32B 3/06, B32B 3/30; by needling fibrous layers 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 groups B32B 9/00-B32B 29/00, the following expressions are used with the meanings indicated:

  • "specific substance" covers specified alternative substances if they are all covered by a single main group;
  • "particular layer" means a layer of particles, e.g. chips, chopped fibres, powder;
  • "essentially" means that if an alteration or removal of such a layer occurred it would alter the scope of the invention. [3]

 B32B 9/00
Layered products essentially comprising a particular substance not covered by groups 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
Layered 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
Layered 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
Layered products essentially comprising metal
 B32B 15/01
·  all layers being exclusively metallic  [3]
 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
Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or fibres of glass, slag or the like
 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 18/00
Layered products essentially comprising ceramics, e.g. refractory products  [4]
 B32B 19/00
Layered 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
Layered 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 21/13
·  all layers being exclusively wood  [3]
 B32B 21/14
·  comprising wood board or veneer
 B32B 23/00
Layered 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
Layered 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
Layered 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 subgroups
 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
Layered 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 29/08
·  Corrugated paper, corrugated cardboard  [3]
 B32B 31/00
Making layered products (making non-planar products B32B 1/00; making layered products comprising either a layer of plastics or a layer of substances in a plastic state B29; 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 in this group 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 (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 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