cpc field-specific training

CPC field-specific training

F16K "Valves"

François Lanel June 2018Examiner, European Patent Office

European Patent Office 2

Table of contents

▪ Introduction

▪ What and where to classify

▪ Criteria for including/excluding documents;

neighbouring fields

▪ Specific terminology

▪ Overall structure of F16K

▪ The main groups of F16K

▪ Examples


Introduction

Some information concerning subclass F16K

▪ The complete title of the subclass is "F16K - Valves; Taps; Cocks;

Actuating floats; Devices for venting or aerating"

▪ According to the Oxford English Dictionary: "A valve is a device of the

nature of a flap, lid, plug, etc., applied to a pipe or aperture to control

the passage of air, steam, water or the like"

▪ The F16K subclass covers the valves in general


Introduction

Some numbers concerning subclass F16K

▪ 742 main- and subgroups,

− 26 main groups,

− 16 indexing subgroups (only under Main group F16K99/00)

▪ 258 496 documents have a confirmed CPC-classification in F16K,

corresponding to 127 147 simple patent families

(database EPODOC 24.05.2018).


Introduction

Where to find…

▪ CPC classification scheme and definitions of F16K

− www.cpcinfo.org

− https://worldwide.espacenet.com/classification?locale=en_EP

− EPOQUE net

▪ Classification rules

− IPC Guide:

http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/classifications/ipc/en/guide/

guide_ipc.pdf

− CPC training material:

http://www.cooperativepatentclassification.org/Training.html


Table of contents

▪ Introduction



neighbouring fields




▪ Examples


What and how to classify…

The aim of classification

▪ Retrieval of technical subject-matter (IPC-Guide VIII.75.)

▪ When classifying, keep in mind how a search examiner searches,

i.e. what is useful for search and what is not.


What and how to classify…

The main kinds of search

▪ Figure-feature search,

i.e. a search of features shown in figures

▪ Text-feature search,

i.e. a search for written features

When flipping through documents, in F16K, the search examiner often

only looks at the figures.

→ classification of the figures can be more important than classification

of the wording of a broad description or vague claims.

To reduce the number of documents to be viewed during a search,

crossing classes is very useful.

→ Giving a plurality of classes to a document, when possible, is

therefore important.


Table of contents

▪ Introduction



neighbouring fields




▪ Examples


Criteria for including/excluding documents;

neighbouring fields

(see Notes under the title "F16K")

▪ Many valves for a specific purpose are not to be classified in F16K

▪ They are classified in the specific field subclass, when precise

subgroups for the specific valve exist in the specific field subclass

▪ For example:

− Heart valves are classified in A61F and not in F16K

− Fuel injectors are classified in F02M and not in F16K

− Pipe quick-couplings with fluid cut-off are classified in F16L and

not in F16K

− Pressure or flow regulators are classified in G05D and not in F16K



neighbouring fields


▪ However, many valves for a specific purpose are classified in F16K

− Because the specific field subclass does not comprise any precise

subgroup for the specific valve

− Because they are also clearly suitable for a more

general purpose

▪ They might also be classified in the field of the specific purpose

▪ For example:

− A gate valve for crude oil pipelines is classified in F16K only

− A relief valve for an hydraulic circuit might be classified in F16K

and F15B

− A valve for a steam turbine might be classified in F16K and

in F01D



neighbouring fields


▪ Valves which are part of a larger system are not to be classified in

F16K as long as details about the construction of the valve are

not given

▪ They are classified in the subclass of the system

▪ For example:

− A pneumatic circuit for a piston/cylinder assembly comprising

valves is classified in F15B and not in F16K because no details

of the valve construction is disclosed



neighbouring fields


▪ A neighbouring class can also be given for specific details of

the valve

▪ For example:

− A valve seat made of a certain Nickel alloy could also be classified

in C22C

− A valve with a particular electric motor could also be classified in

H01K

− A valve manufactured by forging could also be classified in B21K

− A valve with leak detection means could also be classified in G01M



neighbouring fields


▪ However, once again, if no detail of the valve is disclosed,

the document is not to be classified in F16K

▪ For example:

− A certain Nickel alloy suitable for several devices, one of them

being for example a valve body, is not classified in F16K

− An electric motor suitable for several devices, one of them being

for example a valve, is not classified in F16K



neighbouring fields


▪ The criteria for including or excluding documents in F16K is not black

and white

▪ It evolves with time, technological development and proactivity of the

gérant of each field

▪ For example, with the development of the EGR technology in

combustion engines, very detailed subgroups have been recently

created in F02M to specifically classify the EGR valves


Table of contents

▪ Introduction



neighbouring fields




▪ Examples


Specific terminology

Here are some explanations of terms commonly used in F16K

▪ a "fluid" is generally liquid or gaseous; its flow or pressure is

controlled by the valve;

▪ "tap", "cock", "faucet", "fitting" are also used to designate specific

types of valves;

▪ "closing element / member", "cut-off element / member", "valve

element / member", "closure element / member", "Obturating

element / member" are examples of expressions used to indicate

the element of a valve which moves to close

the valve;

▪ "flap", "poppet", "disc", "gate", "plug", "spool" are specific

examples of movable closing elements;

▪ "(valve) seat" generally means the fixed part onto which the closing

element is resting to close the valve;


Specific terminology

▪ "(valve) housing", "valve body", "(valve) casing" normally mean

the fixed parts of the valve which separate the inside of the valve

from the outside of the valve ("valve body" is however sometime used

for the movable closure member);

▪ "actuator" means the device which is used to operate the valve, for

example an electric motor, a handle, an electromagnet, a pneumatic

piston assembly;

▪ "shaft", "spindle", "stem", "axis", "rod" are generally elongated

means coupled to the closing member and the actuator to transmit

the actuator force or movement to the closing member;

▪ a "pilot valve" is a valve used to control a main valve via a pilot fluid

pressure;

▪ "packing" is a term meaning a sealing element or a group of sealing

elements such as one or a plurality of rubber rings;

More specific definitions will be given when detailing the main groups


Table of contents

▪ Introduction



neighbouring fields




▪ Examples


The overall structure of F16K

Types of main groups

The main groups of F16K can be categorized in 3 different types:

▪ Constructional types: F16K1/00 – F16K13/00

▪ Functional types: F16K15/00 – F16K24/00

▪ Details: F16K25/00 – F16K99/00




The "constructional types" include the following main groups:

F16K1/00 Lift valves

F16k3/00 Gate valves or sliding valves

F16K5/00 Plug valves, taps or cocks

F16K7/00 Diaphragm valves

F16k11/00 Multiple-way valves

F16k13/00 Other constructional types




The "functional types" include the following main groups:

F16K15/00 Check valves

F16k17/00 Safety valves; Equalising valves

F16K19/00Arrangements of valves and flow lines for

mixing fluids

F16K21/00 Fluid-delivery valves

F16k23/00 Valves for preventing drip from nozzles

F16k24/00 Valves, for venting or aerating enclosures




The "details" include the following main groups (first part):

F16K25/00Details relating to contact between valve member

and seat

F16k27/00 Construction of housing

F16K29/00Movement of valve members other than for opening

and closing

F16K31/00 Operating means (actuators); Releasing devices

F16k33/00 Floats for actuation of valves or other apparatus

F16k35/00 Means to prevent accidental or unauthorised actuation

F16k37/00Means for indicating or recording operation, for enabling

an alarm




The "details" include the following main groups (second part):

F16k39/00 Devices for relieving the pressure on the sealing faces

F16K41/00 Spindle sealing

F16k43/00 Auxiliary closure means in valves

F16K47/00 Means in valves for absorbing fluid energy

F16K49/00 Means in or on valves for heating or cooling

F16k51/00 Other details not peculiar to particular types of valves

F16k99/00Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this

subclass




The structure of the "constructional types" [Lift – Sliding– Taps/Cocks–

Diaphragm – Multiple way] is partially used in other subgroups:

▪ For example: F16K27/00 – Construction of housing – is divided into:

→ F16K27/02 – of lift valves

→ F16K27/04 – of sliding valves

→ F16K27/06 – of taps, cocks


Table of contents

▪ Introduction



neighbouring fields




▪ Examples


The main groups of F16K

Introduction

▪ Definition of each main group

▪ Definition of some important sub groups

▪ One or two examples per main group

▪ The whole F16K scheme and its complete definitions are available

on the CPC website: www.cpcinfo.org



F16K1/00

F16K1/385▪ Lift valves {or globe valves}, i.e. cut-off apparatus with closure

members having at least a component of their opening and

closing motion perpendicular to the closing faces

▪ Caution: many lift valves are only classified in one of the functional

type groups, for example check valves are in F16K15/00



Subgroup F16K1/16

F16K1/20

F16K1/22

▪ Under the lift valve main group is the subgroup F16K1/16 in

which are classified the pivoting valves, such as flap valves of

butterfly valves



F16K3/00

F16K3/02

F16K3/24

▪ Gate valves or sliding valves, i.e. cut-off apparatus with closing

members having a sliding movement along the seat for opening

and closing



F16K5/00

F16K5/02

F16K5/0471

F16K5/0636

▪ Plug valves; Taps or cocks comprising only cut-off apparatus

having at least one of the sealing faces shaped as a more or less

complete surface of a solid of revolution, the opening and closing

movement being predominantly rotary



F16K7/00

F16K7/061

F16K7/17

▪ Diaphragm valves or cut-off apparatus, e.g. with a member

deformed, but not moved bodily, to close the passage



F16K11/00

F16K11/044

F16K11/166

▪ Multiple-way valves, e.g. mixing valves; Pipe fittings incorporating

such valves

▪ In this main group are classified all the valves having more than one

inlet and/or outlet

▪ This main group is divided into two subgroups:

− F16K11/02 – with all movable sealing faces moving as one unit

− F16K11/10 – with two or more closure members not moving

as a unit



F16K13/00

F16K13/06

F16K13/02

▪ Other constructional types of cut-off apparatus



F16K15/00

F16K15/044

F16K15/06

F16K15/148

▪ Check valves, also known as non return valves

▪ In this functional main group are classified all the valves allowing flow

in one direction but preventing it in the opposed direction



F16K17/00

F16K17/04

F16K17/16

▪ Safety valves; Equalising valves

▪ This functional main group also contains pressure relief valves,

excess flow valves, valves actuated in case of shock or excessive

temperature and valves with a fracturing member



F16K19/00

F16K19/003

F16K19/006

▪ Arrangements of valves and flow lines specially adapted for

mixing fluids

▪ Caution: multiple-way valves are classified under F16K11/00



F16K21/00

F16K21/10▪ Fluid-delivery valves, e.g. self-closing valves

▪ Caution: for liquid handling B67D; for flushing devices for

water-closets or the like E03D



F16K23/00

F16K23/00▪ Valves for preventing drip from nozzles



F16K24/00

F16K24/046

F16K24/06

▪ Devices, e.g. valves, for venting or aerating enclosures

▪ Venting means releasing gas, aerating means allowing gas to enter

▪ Caution: equalising valves F16K17/00; arrangement or mounting in

pipes or pipe systems F16L55/07; venting or aerating of steam traps

or like apparatus F16T; ventilation of rooms, vehicles, see the

appropriate subclass, e.g. F24F



F16K25/00

F16K25/005▪ Details relating to contact between valve members and seat

▪ Caution: sealing constructions, see the appropriate groups according

to the type of valve; movement of valve members other than for

opening and closing F16K29/00



F16K27/00

F16K27/003

F16K27/067

▪ Construction of housing; Use of materials therefor



F16K29/00

F16K29/02▪ Arrangements for movement of valve members other than

for opening and closing the valve, e.g. for grinding-in,

for preventing sticking



F16K31/00

F16K31/006▪ Actuating devices; Operating means; Releasing devices

▪ F16K31/00 is the largest main group, accounting for 30% of the

whole F16K documentation

▪ Caution: Pressure and flow regulators are classified in G05D.

They are characterised by a feedback, representative of the pressure

or flow and in the form of a mechanical or electrical signal



Subgroup F16K31/02

F16K31/0655

F16K31/05

▪ Electric, magnetic

▪ F16K31/004 (piezo electric means) takes precedence

▪ Caution: due to their specific construction and their detailed

subgroups, electromagnetic valves (F16K31/06) are often not

classified under one of the constructional type main groups



Subgroup F16K31/12

F16K31/1221

F16K31/404

▪ Actuated by fluid

▪ Caution: check valves (F16K15/00) and safety valves (F16K17/00)

are usually not classified in F16K31/12

▪ Caution: a valve actuated by fluid via a pilot electromagnetic valve is

normally classified under F16K31/12 (for example in F16K31/40 or

F16K31/42) and not in F16K31/06, except if the pilot electromagnetic

valve has some features worth classifying in electromagnetic valves



Subgroup F16K31/44

F16K31/605

F16K31/508

▪ Mechanical actuation means

▪ Caution: an electric motor actuated valve (F16k31/04) having a

particularly relevant mechanical transmission (gearing, cam, crank,

etc.) system could (also) be classified in F16K31/44



F16K33/00

F16K33/00▪ Floats for actuation of valves or other apparatus

▪ Caution: this group concerns the details of the floats per se.

Float actuated valves are classified in F16K31/18



F16K35/00

F16K35/025

F16K35/06

▪ Means to prevent accidental or unauthorised actuation



F16K37/00

F16K37/0033

F16K37/0016

▪ Special means in or on valves or other cut-off apparatus for

indicating or recording operation thereof, or for enabling an

alarm to be given



F16K39/00

F16K39/04

F16K39/024

▪ Devices for relieving the pressure on the sealing faces



F16K41/00

F16K41/04

F16K41/10

▪ Spindle sealing

▪ Warning: classes concerning spindle or shaft sealing are also

present under some constructional type main groups (F16K1/2078,

F16K1/2268, F16K5/0285, F16K5/0485, F16K5/0694)

▪ Warning: consider also giving a class under F16K7/12

(diaphragm valves) when classifying in F16K41/103



F16K43/00

F16K43/003▪ Auxiliary closure means in valves, which in case of repair, e.g.

rewashering, of the valve, can take over the function of the

normal closure means; Devices for temporary replacement of

parts of valves for the same purpose



F16K47/00

F16K47/023

F16K47/08

▪ Means in valves for absorbing fluid energy, e.g. cushioning of

opening or closure movement, eliminating of vibrations of the

valve member



F16K49/00

F16K49/002

F16K49/007

▪ Means in or on valves for heating or cooling



F16K51/00

F16K51/02▪ Other details not peculiar to particular types of valves or

cut-off apparatus

▪ Warning: With the exception of F16K51/02 ("high vacuum

installations", which should be combined with other subgroups),

F16K51/00 should be used to the most limited extend



F16K99/00

F16K99/0015

F16K99/0026

▪ Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass

▪ Warning: F16K99/00 is exclusively used under F16K99/0001 and

for classifying microvalves

▪ The only indexing scheme / additional scheme of F16K is in the main

group F16K99/00

▪ There is no standard size for a defining a microvalve.

Any flow passage under 1mm cross section can be considered as

a microvalve


Table of contents

▪ Introduction



neighbouring fields




▪ Examples


Examples

Example 1 – Where to classify?

▪ This valve comprises a cylindrical valve member sliding within a bore

and allowing connection between one inlet and a plurality of outlets.

It is actuated by an electromagnet. The sliding sealing surface of the

valve member is covered with a titanium alloy.


Examples

Example 1 – F16K31/0613 – F16K25/005 – C22C

▪ This valve comprises a cylindrical valve member sliding within a

bore and allowing connection between one inlet and a plurality of

outlets. It is actuated by an electromagnet. The sliding sealing

surface of the valve member is covered with a titanium alloy.


Examples


▪ This valve allows the passage of fluid from a first side but not from

the opposed second side. It is made of a flexible elastomer.

An annular shoulder (18a) allows the periphery of the flexible

member (12) to be clamped between two housing bodies.

An elongated slit (22) is normally closed but can be opened by

pressure on the first side.


Examples

Example 2 – F16K15/147

▪ This valve allows the passage of fluid from a first side but not from

the opposed second side. It is made of a flexible elastomer.

An annular shoulder (18a) allows the periphery of the flexible

member (12) to be clamped between two housing bodies.

An elongated slit (22) is normally closed but can be opened by

pressure on the first side.


Examples


▪ This is an electromagnetic valve. It comprises two electromagnets

moving a conical valve member towards and away from its seat.

It allows a precise fuel injection into the combustion chamber of

the engine.


Examples

Example 3 – Not in F16K – In F02M

▪ This is an electromagnetic valve. It comprises two electromagnets

moving a conical valve member towards and away from its seat.

It allows a precise fuel injection into the combustion chamber of

the engine.


Examples


▪ This valve comprises a rotary conical plug (6) with a flow passage

(10) crossing it. Thanks to the angled orientation of the axis of

rotation (7), the housing is made of only two plastic moulded

elements (1) and (3). To prevent accidental actuation, the lever (20)

must first be pushed in order to be rotated. When not pushed, the

lever (20) cannot be rotated.


Examples

Example 4 – F16K5/0235 – F16K27/062 – F16K35/027

▪ This valve comprises a rotary conical plug (6) with a flow passage

(10) crossing it. Thanks to the angled orientation of the axis of

rotation (7), the housing is made of only two plastic moulded

elements (1) and (3). To prevent accidental actuation, the lever (20)

must first be pushed in order to be rotated. When not pushed, the

lever (20) cannot be rotated.


Examples


▪ This is a housing for a gate valve having flat sealing surfaces.

The housing is double walled and has an additional inlet (17) and

outlet (18) for the passage of a cooling liquid.

The housing is made of welded steel plates.


Examples

Example 5 – F16K49/005 – F16K27/105 – F16K27/044

▪ This is a housing for a gate valve having flat sealing surfaces.

The housing is double walled and has an additional inlet (17) and

outlet (18) for the passage of a cooling liquid.

The housing is made of welded steel plates.


Thank you for your attention !

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