CPC field-specific training F16K "Valves" François Lanel June 2018 Examiner, European Patent Office
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
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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
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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).
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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Criteria for including/excluding documents;
neighbouring fields
(see Notes under the title "F16K")
▪ 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
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Criteria for including/excluding documents;
neighbouring fields
(see Notes under the title "F16K")
▪ 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
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Criteria for including/excluding documents;
neighbouring fields
(see Notes under the title "F16K")
▪ 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
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Criteria for including/excluding documents;
neighbouring fields
(see Notes under the title "F16K")
▪ 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
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Criteria for including/excluding documents;
neighbouring fields
(see Notes under the title "F16K")
▪ 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
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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
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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;
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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
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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
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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
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The overall structure of F16K
Types of main groups
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
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The overall structure of F16K
Types of main groups
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
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The overall structure of F16K
Types of main groups
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
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The overall structure of F16K
Types of main groups
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
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The overall structure of F16K
Types of main groups
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
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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
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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
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The main groups of F16K
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
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The main groups of F16K
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
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The main groups of F16K
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
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The main groups of F16K
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
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The main groups of F16K
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
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The main groups of F16K
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
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The main groups of F16K
F16K13/00
F16K13/06
F16K13/02
▪ Other constructional types of cut-off apparatus
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The main groups of F16K
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
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The main groups of F16K
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
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The main groups of F16K
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
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The main groups of F16K
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
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The main groups of F16K
F16K23/00
F16K23/00▪ Valves for preventing drip from nozzles
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The main groups of F16K
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
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The main groups of F16K
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
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The main groups of F16K
F16K27/00
F16K27/003
F16K27/067
▪ Construction of housing; Use of materials therefor
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The main groups of F16K
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
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The main groups of F16K
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
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The main groups of F16K
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
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The main groups of F16K
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
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The main groups of F16K
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
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The main groups of F16K
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
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The main groups of F16K
F16K35/00
F16K35/025
F16K35/06
▪ Means to prevent accidental or unauthorised actuation
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The main groups of F16K
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
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The main groups of F16K
F16K39/00
F16K39/04
F16K39/024
▪ Devices for relieving the pressure on the sealing faces
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The main groups of F16K
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
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The main groups of F16K
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
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The main groups of F16K
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
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The main groups of F16K
F16K49/00
F16K49/002
F16K49/007
▪ Means in or on valves for heating or cooling
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The main groups of F16K
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
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The main groups of F16K
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
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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
European Patent Office 59
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.
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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.
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Examples
Example 2 – Where to classify?
▪ 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.
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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.
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Examples
Example 3 – Where to classify?
▪ 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.
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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.
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Examples
Example 4 – Where to classify?
▪ 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.
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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.
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Examples
Example 5 – Where to classify?
▪ 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.
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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.
European Patent Office 69
Thank you for your attention !