Description
This class provides for apparatus used in separation of a gasfrom a fluid mixture comprising (i) a gas and solid or liquid particlesentrained therein, (ii) a liquid and gas entrained therein, or (iii)a plurality of gases. As a general rule for this class, there mustbe a relationship of apparatus parts embracing: (a) an inlet forthe fluid mixture to be treated, (b) a means effective to causeseparation into constituent parts, and (c) an outlet for at least oneconstituent separate and distinct from an outlet for another constituent,which may be for removal of the separating media itself, or a singleoutlet used at different times to remove the separated constituents.The gas separation apparatus for this class does not include meansin which the separation is caused by a chemical reaction.
The basic subject matter of this class is of a subcombinationnature and may include only such ancillary apparatus (e.g., fluidhandling means, etc.) as is necessary to perfect the gas separatingfunction. Significant inclusion in a claim of features beyond merelyperfecting the gas separating function indicates classificationin a more comprehensive class. Generally, however, the mere namingof an art device in a claim to a gas separator does not affect classification.Thus, a claim to an air filter combined with a nominally includedmotor vehicle is proper for this class.