What are combination sets in CPC classification?
Combination sets are a feature of the Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC) system that allow for enhanced storage and retrieval of classification information. According to MPEP 905.03(c):
“In certain CPC fields, the examiner has the ability to create and search on combinations of CPC symbols (provided as groupings of symbols), each symbol in a grouping has a defined relationship to the other symbols in its grouping. These groupings are termed combination sets, and provide an enhanced mechanism for storing and retrieving classification information from patent documents.”
Key points about combination sets:
- They are mostly used in chemical fields, but also appear in mechanical and electrical fields.
- The first symbol in a set is the “base classification symbol.”
- Other members of the set have the same Invention or Additional information attribute as the base symbol.
- They can represent sequences of operations, product-method relationships, or other defined relationships between symbols.
- Guidance for creating combination sets is provided in CPC classification definitions.
Combination sets allow for more nuanced and precise classification of complex inventions or processes.
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