Description
This is the generic class for:
1. Inorganic Compounds
2. Nonmetallic Elements
3. Processes . . . (a) Processes of producing or separating bya chemical reaction a product a product of 1. or 2. supra, (b) chemicalreaction processes not elsewhere provided for, (c) processes ofseparating or purifying a gaseous mixture including a chemical reactionand (d) processes which are directed to extracting, leaching or dissolvinga product or 1. or 2. supra from a mixture either, per se, or incombination with steps not otherwise provided for and for dissolvingof such a product to make a water solution thereof.
AMPLIFICATION OF CLASS SUBJECT MATTER
This class provides for what is generally termed the fieldof inorganic chemistry. It includes inorganic compounds, nonmetallicelements and processes of producing the same involving a chemicalreaction. The products are generally in a relatively pure statebut may be a mixture with no other utility than as a source materialfor an inorganic compound or element. This includes metal compoundproducts useful in metallurgical processes of obtaining free metals(see Subclass References to the Current Class, below).
A mixture of an inorganic compound or nonmetallic elementwith a preserving agent whose sole function is to prevent physicalor chemical change of such compound or element is provided for inthis class, unless the mixture is disclosed or claimed as havinga function or utility provided for in the composition classification(see Subclass References to the Current Class, below). Also, processesof merely incorporating a preservative are included in this class.
The rules for determining class placement of the originalreference (OR) for claimed chemical compositions are set forth inthe class definition for compositions. See the (17) Note underLINES WITH OTHER CLASSES AND WITHIN THIS CLASS for additional information.
This class also provides for processes of separating or purifyinga normally gaseous mixture by a chemical reaction, unless the resultingmixture has a disclosed utility provided for in the compositionclassification.
This class is also the residual class for all chemical reactionsnot provided for elsewhere, e.g., a reactive process where no specificproduct compound is disclosed.
For this class, the nonmetallic elements are: the halogensincluding astatine, the inert gases, hydrogen, boron, carbon, silicon,nitrogen, phosphorus, oxygen, sulfur, selenium and tellurium.
This class is also the class for extracting, leaching or dissolvingprocesses not provided for elsewhere (see Subclass References tothe Current Class, below).