CLASS 442,	FABRIC (WOVEN, KNITTED, OR NONWOVEN TEXTILE OR CLOTH, ETC.)
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SECTION I - CLASS DEFINITION

This is the class for woven, knitted, nonwoven, or felt article claimed as a fabric, having structural integrity resulting from forced interassociation of fibers, filaments, or strands, the forced interassociation resulting from processes such as weaving, knitting, needling hydroentangling, chemical coating or impregnation, autogenous bonding (i.e., heat- and/or pressure-promoted welding or solvent bonding) or felting, but not articles such as paper, fiber-reinforced plastic matrix materials (FRP), or other fiber-reinforced materials wherein fibers are present only as a filler material.

SECTION II - LINES WITH OTHER CLASSES AND WITHIN THIS CLASS

This class is an integral part of Class 428 (after subclass 223). It incorporates all the definitions and rules as to subject matter of Class 428.

This is not the location for a woven or knitted fabric which is no more than, respectively, the product of a loom or knitting machine which has not been further treated. Such a product of a loom is classified in Class 139, subclasses 420+. Such a product from a knitting machine is classified in Class 66, subclasses 169+.

This is the location for a woven or knitted fabric which has been subjected to further treatment after having been removed, respectively, from the loom or knitting machine, and all treated and untreated nonwoven fabrics, except those treated by a drying process or a chemical modification which effects chemical reaction within the material composing the woven, knitted, or nonwoven fabric. A fabric which has been dyed or subjected to chemical modification effecting reaction within the material composing the fabric is classified in Class 8, except where the chemical modification results in converting the material composing the fabric to carbon. Carbon fabrics, per se, are classified in Class 423, subclasses 447.1+.

This is not the location for nonwoven sheets produced by wet-laying fiber slurries on a screen (i.e., papers). Papers, per se, are classified in Class 162, subclasses 100+.

Fiber-reinforced plastic matrix materials (FRP) or fiber-reinforced inorganic matrix materials, per se, are classified in Class 428, subclasses 292.1+.

SUBCLASSES

1	SCRIM (E.G., OPEN NET OR MESH, GAUZE, LOOSE OR OPEN WEAVE OR KNIT, ETC.):
	This subclass is indented under the class definition.  Subject matter wherein the fabric is a woven, nonwoven, or knitted fabric which is specifically described as having an open or loose configuration of strands or filamentary material.   (1) Note. Scrim includes but is not limited to open net, mesh, gauze, loosely woven, or knitted fabrics. A characteristic of most scrims is the ability to see readily through the fabric from a distance.

2	Woven scrim:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 1.  Subject matter wherein the scrim is a woven fabric.   (1) Note. A woven fabric is composed of at least one set of strands or strips in a warp direction interengaged with at least one set of strands or strips in a fill or weft direction, the fill or weft direction being at an angle other than 0° relative to the warp direction. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 181+, for woven fabrics not meeting the definition of scrim as given above.

3	Including a multifilament fiber precoated with other than free metal or alloy prior to weaving:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 2.  Subject matter wherein the woven scrim contains a multifilament fiber which has been coated with a non-metallic material prior to incorporation into the woven scrim.

4	Comprising a composite fiber:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 2.  Subject matter wherein the woven scrim contains at least one fiber comprising more than one chemically distinct component such as a sheath/core fiber, an islands-in-sea fiber, a wrapped fiber, etc.

5	Comprising at least two chemically different fibers:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 2.  Subject matter wherein the woven scrim contains two or more distinct fibers which differ from one another chemically.

6	Metal or metal-coated fiber-containing scrim:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 2.  Subject matter wherein the woven scrim contains metal fiber or metal-coated fiber.

7	Including an additional free metal or alloy constituent:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 6.  Subject matter wherein the woven scrim contains metal fiber or metal-coated fiber and an additional free metal or alloy constituent in a form such as particulate material, film, foil, sheet, or fabric layer.

8	Particulate free metal or alloy constituent:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 7.  Subject matter wherein the additional free metal or alloy constituent is in the form of particulate material.

9	Including a foam layer:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 6.  Subject matter wherein the woven scrim containing metal fiber or metal-coated fiber has an open or closed cellular layer associated therewith.

10	Including a woven fabric which is not a scrim:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 6.  Subject matter wherein the woven scrim containing metal fiber or metal-coated fiber is associated with at least one additional woven fabric which is not a scrim.

11	Including a nonwoven fabric which is not a scrim:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 10.  Subject matter wherein the woven scrim containing metal fiber or metal-coated fiber has a woven fabric and a nonwoven fabric which is not a scrim associated therewith.

12	Including a paper layer:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 6.  Subject matter wherein the woven scrim containing metal fiber or metal-coated fiber has a paper layer associated therewith.

13	Including a nonwoven fabric which is not a scrim:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 6.  Subject matter wherein the woven scrim containing metal fiber or metal-coated fiber has a nonwoven fabric which is not a scrim associated therewith.

14	Two or more nonwoven fabric layers:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 13.  Subject matter wherein the woven scrim containing metal fiber or metal-coated fiber has two or more nonwoven fabric layers which are not scrim associated therewith.

15	Including a natural or synthetic rubber layer:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 6.  Subject matter wherein the woven scrim containing metal fiber or metal-coated fiber has a natural or synthetic rubber layer associated therewith.

16	Including a preformed film, foil, or sheet:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 6.  Subject matter wherein the woven scrim containing metal fiber or metal-coated fiber has a preformed material associated herewith, the preformed material having structural integrity prior to association with the woven scrim and being in the form of a film, foil, or sheet.

17	Including a layer derived from a water-settable material (e.g., cement, gypsum, etc.):
	This subclass is indented under subclass 6.  Subject matter wherein the woven scrim which contains metal or metal-coated fiber has a water-settable material (e.g., cement, gypsum, etc.) in the form of a distinct layer associated therewith.

18	Including a ceramic or glass layer:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 6.  Subject matter wherein the woven scrim which contains metal or metal-coated fiber has at least one additional layer in the form of ceramic or glass associated therewith.

19	Including a coating or impregnation of synthetic polymeric material:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 6.  Subject matter wherein the woven scrim which contains metal or metal-coated fiber has at least one synthetic polymeric coating or impregnation associated therewith.

20	Inorganic fiber-containing scrim:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 2.  Subject matter wherein the woven scrim comprises inorganic fiber.

21	Including a carbon or carbonized fiber:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 20.  Subject matter wherein the inorganic fiber comprises a carbon (graphite) or fiber material which has been subjected to carbonization.

22	Including a foam layer:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 20.  Subject matter wherein the woven scrim comprises inorganic fiber which has an open or closed cellular layer associated therewith.

23	Including a metal layer:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 20.  Subject matter wherein the woven scrim comprises inorganic fiber which has a metal layer associated therewith.

24	Including an additional scrim layer:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 20.  Subject matter wherein the woven scrim which comprises inorganic fiber has at least one additional scrim layer associated therewith.

25	Including a woven fabric which is not a scrim:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 20.  Subject matter wherein the woven scrim which comprises inorganic fiber is associated with an additional woven fabric which is not a scrim.

26	Including a nonwoven fabric which is not a scrim:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 20.  Subject matter wherein the woven scrim which comprises inorganic fiber has at least one nonwoven fabric which is not a scrim associated therewith.

27	Including a preformed film, foil, or sheet:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 20.  Subject matter wherein the woven scrim which comprises inorganic fiber has a preformed material associated therewith, the preformed material having had structural integrity prior to association with the woven scrim and being in the form of a film, foil, or sheet.

28	Including a mica layer:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 20.  Subject matter wherein the woven scrim which comprises inorganic fiber has a mica layer associated therewith.

29	Including a coating or impregnation containing particulate material other than fiber:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 20.  Subject matter wherein the woven scrim which comprises inorganic fiber has a coating or impregnation which contains nonfibrous particulate material associated therewith.

30	Including a foam layer:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 2.  Subject matter wherein the woven scrim has at least one additional layer which is an open or closed cellular layer associated therewith.

31	Including a free metal or alloy constituent:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 2.  Subject matter wherein the woven scrim contains a free metal or alloy constituent.

32	Including an additional scrim layer:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 2.  Subject matter wherein the woven scrim has an additional scrim layer associated therewith.

33	Including a paper layer:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 2.  Subject matter wherein the woven scrim has an additional paper layer associated therewith.

34	Two or more paper layers:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 33.  Subject matter wherein the woven scrim has at least two paper layers associated therewith.

35	Including a nonwoven fabric which is not a scrim:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 2.  Subject matter wherein the woven scrim has a nonwoven fabric layer which is not a scrim associated therewith.

36	Two or more nonwoven layers:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 35.  Subject matter wherein the woven scrim has two or more nonwoven fabric layers (which are not scrim) associated therewith.

37	Including a natural or synthetic rubber layer:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 2.  Subject matter wherein the woven scrim has a natural or synthetic rubber layer associated therewith.

38	Including a preformed film, foil, or sheet:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 2.  Subject matter wherein the woven scrim has a preformed material having had structural integrity prior to association with the woven scrim and being in the form of a film, foil, or sheet.

39	Cellulose acetate film or sheet:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 38.  Subject matter wherein the preformed film or sheet is cellulose acetate.

40	Fluorinated polyolefin film or sheet:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 38.  Subject matter wherein the preformed film or sheet is fluorinated polyolefin.

41	Polyolefin film or sheet:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 38.  Subject matter wherein the preformed film or sheet is polyolefin.

42	Including a layer derived from a water-settable material (e.g., cement, gypsum, etc.):
	This subclass is indented under subclass 2.  Subject matter wherein the woven scrim has a water-settable material (e.g., cement, gypsum, etc.) in the form of a distinct layer associated therewith.

43	Coated or impregnated:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 2.  Subject matter wherein the woven scrim has a coating or impregnation associated therewith.

44	Including particulate material other than fiber in coating or impregnation:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 43.  Subject matter wherein the coating or impregnation contains particulate material not being fibrous.

45	Three or more layers:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 43.  Subject matter comprising at least three layers including a woven scrim layer and at least one coating and/or impregnation layer.

46	Synthetic polymeric fiber:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 43.  Subject matter wherein the coated or impregnated woven scrim contains synthetic polymeric fiber.

47	Nylon fiber:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 46.  Subject matter wherein the synthetic polymeric fiber is nylon (i.e., polyamide).

48	Bitumen coating or impregnation:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 43.  Subject matter wherein the coating or impregnation contains pitch, asphalt, tar, bitumen, or the residue from the distillation of mineral oil and/or coal.

49	Synthetic polymeric fiber:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 2.  Subject matter wherein the woven scrim contains synthetic polymeric fiber.

50	Nonwoven scrim:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 1.  Subject matter wherein the scrim is a nonwoven fabric.   (1) Note. A nonwoven fabric is composed of strands or fiber material having structural integrity by forced interassociation of the strands or fiber material by mechanical means (e.g., needling, hydroentanglement, etc.) or by the effect of chemical binders or by autogenous bonding (i.e., heat- and/or pressure-promoted welding or solvent bonding). SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 327+, for nonwoven fabric not meeting the definition of scrim as given above.

51	Comprising a composite fiber:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 50.  Subject matter wherein the nonwoven scrim comprises fiber containing more than one chemically distinct component such as a sheath/core fiber, an islands-in-sea fiber, a wrapped fiber, etc.

52	Metal or metal-coated fiber-containing scrim:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 50.  Subject matter wherein the nonwoven scrim comprises metal fiber or metal-coated fiber.

53	Including a paper layer:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 52.  Subject matter wherein the nonwoven scrim comprising metal fiber or metal-coated fiber has one additional paper layer associated therewith.

54	Inorganic fiber-containing scrim:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 50.  Subject matter wherein the nonwoven scrim comprises inorganic fiber.

55	Including a foam layer:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 54.  Subject matter wherein the nonwoven scrim which comprises inorganic fiber has a foam layer associated therewith.

56	Including a foam layer:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 50.  Subject matter wherein the nonwoven scrim has an open or closed cellular layer associated therewith.

57	Including a nonwoven fabric which is not a scrim:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 50.  Subject matter wherein the nonwoven scrim has a nonwoven fabric layer which is not a scrim associated therewith.

58	Coated or impregnated:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 50.  Subject matter wherein the nonwoven scrim has a coating or impregnation associated therewith.

59	COATED OR IMPREGNATED WOVEN, KNIT, OR NONWOVEN FABRIC WHICH IS NOT (A) ASSOCIATED WITH ANOTHER PREFORMED LAYER OR FIBER LAYER OR (B) WITH RESPECT TO WOVEN AND KNIT, CHARACTERIZED, RESPECTIVELY, BY A PARTICULAR OR DIFFERENTIAL WEAVE OR KNIT, WHEREIN THE COATING OR IMPREGNATION IS NEITHER A FOAMED MATERIAL NOR A FREE METAL OR ALLOY LAYER:
	This subclass is indented under the class definition.  Subject matter wherein the fabric is coated or impregnated with a material which is neither a foamed material nor a metal or alloy layer, which is not associated with any other preformed layer other than additional coatings or impregnations, and which is not characterized by a particular or differential weave or knit pattern.

60	Fabric composed of a fiber or strand which is of specific structural definition:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 59.  Subject matter wherein the fabric comprises (a) strands having specific structural characteristics such as being composed of individual filaments having different chemical composition twisted together or being core-spun about a non-elastic core; or (b) the strands, per se, or individual filamentary materials comprising the strands are characterized by a specific structural feature such as nonlinearity, a particular cross section or a particular absolute size of any feature, component or dimension (e.g., length, width, or thickness).

61	Impregnation is confined to a plane disposed between both major fabric surfaces which are essentially free of impregnating material:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 59.  Subject matter wherein the fabric is impregnated in such a way as to restrict the impregnant to a location between both major fabric surfaces, both major fabric surfaces being essentially free of impregnant.

62	Coating produced by extrusion:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 59.  Subject matter wherein the coating has been associated with the fabric by extrusion coating.

63	Coating or impregnation formed in situ (e.g., by interfacial condensation, coagulation, precipitation, etc.):
	This subclass is indented under subclass 59.  Subject matter wherein the coating or impregnation is formed by an in situ process on a surface of the fabric, the process being one such as interfacial condensation, coagulation, precipitation, etc.

64	Two or more non-extruded coatings or impregnations:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 59.  Subject matter wherein the fabric has at least two coatings or impregnations, no coating or impregnation having been produced by extrusion.

65	Each major face of the fabric has at least one coating or impregnation:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 64.  Subject matter wherein each major face of the fabric has one or more coatings or impregnations.

66	At least two coatings or impregnations of different chemical composition:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 65.  Subject matter wherein the fabric has two or more chemically different coatings or impregnations.

67	Different coatings or impregnations on opposite faces of the fabric:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 66.  Subject matter wherein each face of the fabric has at least one coating or impregnation that is chemically different from at least one coating or impregnation on the opposite face of the fabric.

68	At least one coating or impregnation contains particulate material:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 66.  Subject matter wherein at least one coating or impregnation includes particulate material.

69	At least one coating or impregnation functions to fix pigments or particles on the surface of a coating or impregnation:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 68.  Subject matter wherein at least one coating or impregnation has pigments or particles on its surface.

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