CONTENTS.
Reading edition
A. Introduction. 1 Past classifications of the U. S. Patent Office. 1 Beginning of revision. 2 Precedents and authorities. 3 Definition of scientific classification. 4
B. Principles of the new classification of the Patent Office. 4 Elements of a Patent Office classification. 4 Basis of classification. 5 Art as a basis. 5 Function or effect as a basis. 7 Structure as a basis. 8 Division and arrangement. 9 Infinitude of possible combinations. 10 Division and arrangement in the natural sciences. 10 Difficulty of entitling a subclass corresponding to every combination.11 Expedients to reduce the number of subdivisions. 12 Superiority and inferiority. 15 Definite positional relationship of subdivisions. 16 Indented schedules. 17 Bifurcate division. 19 Utility of arrangement according to resemblances. 19 Definition. 20 Cross-references and search-notes. 21 Diagnosis to determine classification. 22 Claimed or unclaimed disclosure. 22 Diagnosis of pending applications. 23 Difficulties due to varying ideas of claims. 25
C. Rules of classification. 26 Basis of classification. 26 1. "Art" as the basis. 26 2. Operative or manipulative arts. 26 3. Structures. 26 4. Composition of matter and formed stock. 26 Division and arrangement. 27 5. Exhaustive division; miscellaneous subclass. 27 6. Subclasses not to overlap. 27 7. Subclasses of any group to be formed on one basis. 27 8. Apparent exception to rules 6 and 7. 27 9. Relative position of subclasses. 27 10. Indention of subclasses. 29 11. Different kinds of titles for subclasses. 29 12. Arrangement to limit search and cross references. 30 Definition. 30 13. Tentative definition. 30 14. How to define. 30 15. Explanatory notes may sometimes displace definition. 31 Cross-references and search-notes. 31 16. Impossibility of cross-referencing all disclosures. 31 17. Occasion and direction of cross-referencing. 31 18. Occasion and scope of search-notes. 32 Diagnosis to determine classification. 32 19. Patents diagnosed by claimed disclosure. 32 20. Patents diagnosed by most intensive claim. 33 21. Exception to rule 19, claim for a part of a disclosed combination. 33 22. Exception to rule 19, claims for a part of a disclosed combination. 33 23. Exception to rule 19, generic combination old as matter of common knowledge. 34 24. Exception to rule 19, article of manufacture defined only by material. 34 25. Exception to rule 19, utilizing a composition. 34 26. Exception to rule 19, utilizing a machine. 34 27. Patents having claims for several different inventions. 35 28. General rule of superiority between statutory kinds of invention. 35 29. Exception to rule 28. 35 30. Process and apparatus. 36 31. Article of manufacture and instrument for making a part of it or performing any minor act relative thereto. 36 32. Process and product where search for the process would have to be made among machines. 36 33. Process and product where search for the process would have to be made among products. 36 34. Process of making a composition and the composition where the process is peculiarly adapted to make the composition. 37 35. Article of manufacture or composition and process for making one of the parts of the article or ingredients of the composition. 37
D. Procedure in reclassifying within examining divisions. 37 1. General attitude. 37 Procedure involving only cursory scrutiny of familiar patents— 2. Consider wholes in forming tentative subdivisions of subclasses. 38 3. Write tentative definitions of subdivisions. 38 4. Consider the significance of analogies found to traverse parts of two or more existing subclasses. 38 5. Arrange groups on parallel or accordant lines where practicable. 38 6. Watch for subcombinations deserving separate recognition. 38 7. Consider whether the groups collectively will constitute a proper class and their best correlation. 38 Procedure involving rigorous analysis— 8. Diagnose each patent for original classification. 39 9. Group and consider the disposition of patents deemed foreign to the class. 39 10-15. Consider and indicate cross-referencing within and to and from the the class. 39, 40
Note. 40