DEUTSCHES PATENT- UND MARKENAMT
Class/Subcl.:
C01B, B01J
German Patent and Trade Mark Office
Date: 20/03/2006
DE - Proposal — TE 122
Rapporteur Proposal for project TE 122 (existing example No. C-4)
Level/Category (ies)
CL
AL
1a, 1b, 2a , 2a1, 2b1, 2b3
1a, 1b, 2a , 2a1, 2b1, 2b3
Documents (Classification is based on US 4.176.090 A)
US 4.176.090 A
DE 2 825 769 A
FR 2 394 324 A
Short Version of the Disclosure
The document discloses pillared interlayered smectite clay products, a method for the
preparation and the use of pillared interlayered smectite clay products. The claims and the
description refer to various applications, e. g. the interlayered clay products are useful as
adsorbents and catalytic supports. The interlayered clay products may be combined with
other inorganic oxide adsorbents and catalysts such as silica, alumina, silica-magnesia,
silica-alumina hydrogel, and natural or synthetic zeolites, and clays. The interlayered clay
products are useful in the preparation of catalysts which contain active/stabilising metals, as
well as matrix components such as silica, alumina or silica-alumina hydrogel. These catalysts
are used in conventional petroleum conversion processes such as catalytic cracking, hydrocracking, hydrotreating, isomerisation and reforming catalysts. Furthermore they are useful
as molecular sieve adsorbents.
Representative Prior Art
US 3.798.177 and US 4.060.480 - The preparation of hydroxyl-aluminum modified smectite
clays wherein a gibbsite-like layer is formed between the crystalline layers of the clay is
disclosed. The gibbsite-like layer is characterised by a 14 A spacing, is continuous and does
not substantially increase the internal pore volume of the modified clay material.
Invention Information
I1: An interlayered smectite clay product which includes an inorganic oxide selected from the
group consisting of alumina, zirconia and mixtures thereof between the layers thereof, and
which possesses an interlayer distance of from about 6 to 16 A, said interlayered clay having
greater than about 50 percent of its surface area in pores of less than 30 A in diameter (see
claims 1 to 7).
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I2: Process for the preparation of an interlayered smectite clay product comprising the
reaction of a smectite with a mixture of a polymeric cationic hydroxyl inorganic metal complex
and water to obtain a smectite having greater than 50 percent of its surface area in pores of
less than 30 A in diameter after dehydration and finally separating the interlayered smectite
from the mixture (see claims 8 to 15, 20 and 21).
I3: A hydrocarbon conversion catalyst and a hydrocracking catalyst comprising an
interlayered smectite (see claims 16 and 17)
I4: A hydrocarbon conversion catalyst comprising an interlayered clay admixed with a
crystalline aluminosilicate zeolith (see claim 19)
I5: An adsorbent composition comprising an interlayered smectite clay (see claim 18).
Additional Information
The properties of the novel minerals based on smectite type minerals may be viewed as
being more characteristic of crystalline zeolites than clays (see description, col. 2, line 10 to
12).
Identification of Potential Subclasses
Subject Matter
Tool
Query
IPC
Places
I1
Catchword Index
C01B
I1
Catchword Index
I1
Catchword Index
I2
Catchword Index
I2
Catchword Index
I3
Catchword Index
SILICON
inorganic compounds of
ZIRCONIUM
inorganic compounds of
ALUMINIUM
oxides of
SILICON
inorganic compounds of
ALUMINIUM
oxides of
CATALYSTS
I4
Catchword Index
I5
Subclass Index
A1
Catchword Index
catalysts comprising
MOLECULAR [sieves]
CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL
PROCESS, SORBENT
ZEOLITES or
inorganic MOLECULAR [sieves]
C01G
C01F
C01B
C01F
B01J
B01J
B01J
C01B
Analysis and Selection of Classification Symbols
Core Level
Using the Catchword Index for “oxides of ALUMINIUM” leads to the subclass C01F. Note (1)
under the class title indicates that the last place priority rule applies in this class. This should
mean that clays (aluminosilicates) are therefore classified under C01F. However, the
reference under the title of C01F states “compounds containing silicon C01B 33/00”. So
C01F can be discounted for classification.
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Similarly C01G is discounted for I1 due to the reference under the title “compounds
containing silicon C01B 33/00”.
For the clay product under consideration, the Catchword Index points to subclass C01B. In
this subclass the last place priority rule applies. Main group C01B 33/00 relates to inorganic
silicon compounds, main group C01B 39/00 to inorganic compounds having zeolite type
properties. Guidance heading before C01B 37/00 stipulates that main groups C01B 37/00
and C01B 39/00 relate to compounds characterised primarily by their physical or chemical
properties, rather than by their chemical constitution. The last place priority rule would guide
us to C01B 39/00. However because the product of the disclosure is merely claimed in terms
of composition (see claim 1) rather than in terms of properties (see col. 2, lines 10 to 12).
Therefore, main group C01B 33/00 most adequately represents the invention.
Interlayered clays and a process for the preparation of interlayered clays (I1, I2), inorganic
silicon compounds, are of interest. As according to paragraph 95 of the Guide to the IPC
chemical compounds as well as the process of preparation are classified in the groups for
the type of compound concerned, using the catchword “SILICON, inorganic compounds of
silicon” leads to main group C01B 33/00.
The use of interlayered clays in chemical or physical processes, e.g. as catalyst or adsorbent
is classified in B01J. Using the catchwords “CATALYSTS”, “catalysts comprising
MOLECULAR [sieves]” lead to main groups B01J 21/00 to 38/00 and B01J 29/00. For the
catalysts of interest are two groups provided for, catalysts comprising the elements, oxides or
hydroxides of e. g. aluminium or silicon (I3) are covered by B01J 21/00 and catalysts
comprising molecular sieves (I4) are covered by B01J 29/00. Adsorbent compositions (I5)
are mentioned in the subclass index of B01J “CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES” as
“SORBENT”; solid sorbent compositions comprising Alumino-silicates are covered by
B01J 20/00.
The properties of the novel minerals based on smectite type minerals may be viewed as
being more characteristic of crystalline zeolites than clays (A1), therefore additional
classification is made in C01B39/00. The catchwords “ZEOLITES” or “inorganic
MOLECULAR [sieves]” lead us indeed to main group C01B 39/00.
Though the product of interest may contain magnesium or zirconium for affect the properties
of the clay product, classification is not made in C01F and C01G, but in C01B since the focus
of the invention is on a clay product.
Advanced Level
Using the Catchword Index for “oxides of ALUMINIUM” leads to the subclass C01F. Note (1)
under the class title indicates that the last place priority rule applies in this class. This should
mean that clays (aluminosilicates) are therefore classified under C01F. However, the
reference under the title of C01F states “compounds containing silicon C01B 33/00”. So
C01F can be discounted for classification.
Similarly C01G is discounted for I1 due to the reference under the title “compounds
containing silicon C01B 33/00”.
For the clay product under consideration, the Catchword Index points to subclass C01B. In
this subclass the last place priority rule applies. Main group C01B 33/00 relates to inorganic
silicon compounds, main group C01B 39/00 to inorganic compounds having zeolite type
properties. Guidance heading before C01B 37/00 stipulates that main groups C01B 37/00
and C01B 39/00 relate to compounds characterised primarily by their physical or chemical
properties, rather than by their chemical constitution. The last place priority rule would guide
us to C01B 39/00. However because the product of the disclosure is merely claimed in terms
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of composition (see claim 1) rather than in terms of properties (see col. 2, lines 10 to 12).
Therefore, main group C01B 33/00 most adequately represents the invention.
Interlayered clays and a process for the preparation of interlayered clays (I1, I2), inorganic
silicon compounds, are of interest. As according to paragraph 95 of the Guide to the IPC
chemical compounds as well as the process of preparation are classified in the groups for
the type of compound concerned, using the catchword “SILICON, inorganic compounds of
silicon” leads to main group C01B 33/00. In regard to the last appropriate place according to
Note (1) under the class title, C01B 33/40 applies here for the regarded clays.
The use of interlayered clays in chemical or physical processes, e.g. as catalyst or adsorbent
is classified in B01J. Using the catchwords “CATALYSTS”, “catalysts comprising
MOLECULAR [sieves]” lead to main groups B01J 21/00 to 38/00 and B01J 29/00. For the
catalysts of interest are two groups provided for, catalysts comprising clays or other mineral
silicates (I3) are covered by B01J 21/16 and catalysts comprising crystalline alumosilicate
zeolites (I4) are classified B01J 29/06. Adsorbent compositions (I5) are mentioned in the
subclass index of B01J “CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES” as “SORBENT”; solid
sorbent compositions comprising Alumino-silicates are covered by B01J20/16.
The properties of the novel minerals based on smectite type minerals may be viewed as
being more characteristic of crystalline zeolites than clays (A1), therefore additional
classification is made within main group C01B 39/00. The catchwords “ZEOLITES” or
“inorganic MOLECULAR [sieves]” lead us indeed to C01B 39/00. In regard to the last place
priority rule according to Note (1) after the class title, and to the definition given for “zeolites”
in the note after main group C01B 39/00, subgroup C01B 39/02 applies here for the novel
minerals.
Though the product of interest may contain magnesium or zirconium for affect the properties
of the clay product, classification is not made in C01F and C01G, but in C01B since the focus
of the invention is on a clay product.
Subject Matter
I1
I2
I3
I4
I5
A1
Anaylsis of
Subclass
Selection
Catchword
Index
Catchword
Index
Catchword
Index
Catchword
Index
Subclass Index
Subcalss
Catchword
Index
C01B
Analysis of
Group
Selection
C01B
IPC CL
IPC (2006)
IPC AL
IPC 2006.01
C01B 33/00
C01B 33/40
C01B 33/00
C01B 33/40
B01J 21/00
B01J 21/16
B01J 29/00
B01J 29/06
B01J 20/00
B01J 20/16
C01B 39/00
C01B 39/02
Last place rule
C01B
Last place rule
B01J
Last place rule
B01J
Last place rule
B01J
Last place rule
Last place rule
4/5
Complete Classification
The complete core and advanced level classification for this document based on the above
analysis is as follows:
Core Level
Int.Cl.(2006)
C01B 33/00
B01J 20/00
B01J 21/00
B01J 29/00
C01B39/00
Advanced Level
C01B 33/40 (2006.01)
B01J 20/16 (2006.01)
B01J 21/16 (2006.01)
B01J 29/06 (2006.01)
C01B39/02 (2006.01)
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