A01K - Definition

Definition statement

This subclass covers:

Equipment and methods for the care, culture or rearing of all animals or for obtaining their products, not otherwise provided for

Equipment and methods for fishing

Equipment for angling

Methods of breeding animals, not otherwise provided for

New breeds of animals

Relationship between large subject matter areas

Whilst A01K provides for equipment and methods associated with the care, nurturing, handling and rearing of all animals, and the harvesting of their products, devices and accessories for milking are classified in A01J. Furthermore, shoes for animals (e.g. horses, oxen and other solipeds) and associated accessories are classified in A01L. Devices for maintaining the appearance and welfare of animals (e.g. washing and grooming devices, shearing equipment, dehorners, horn trainers) are classified here, whilst veterinary equipment and methods for the medical treatment of animals are classified in A61D. A01K provides for fastening and tethering/restraining equipment for animals (e.g. halters, neck-bars, leads, collars), yet equine or similar harnesses and devices used in connection therewith are classified in B68B. A01K provides for new breeds of animals, irrespective of the manner of their production, including new breeds of multicellular animals, e.g. transgenic animals. It also provides for processes of obtaining such new animals. Processes and methods for genetic engineering and mutation per se are classified in C12N. Where genetic engineering or mutation techniques are used to produce new breeds of animals, multi-aspect classification in A01K 67/00 and C12N 15/00 should be applied. Breeding of animals not otherwise provided for is covered by A01K 67/00, whilst instruments or methods for reproduction or fertilisation (e.g. artificial insemination) is classified in A61D 19/00.

References relevant to classification in this subclass

This subclass does not cover:

Milking; Accessories therefor	A01J 1/00 – A01J 9/00
Shoeing of animals	A01L
Veterinary instruments, implements, tools, or methods	A61D
Harnesses; Devices used in connection therewith	B68B

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

New plants or processes for obtaining them; Plant reproduction by tissue culture techniques	A01H
Manufacture of dairy products, other than milking	A01J 11/00 – A01J 27/00
Catching, trapping or scaring of animals; Apparatus for the destruction of noxious animals	A01M
Preservation of bodies of animals or parts thereof; Pest repellants or attractants	A01N
Feeding-stuffs specially adapted for animals; Methods specially adapted for production thereof	A23K
Fencing, e.g. fences, enclosures, corrals	E04H 17/00
Construction of valves	F16K
Electric circuits or apparatus specially designed for use in equipment for killing, stunning, enclosing or guiding living beings	H05C

Glossary of terms

In this subclass, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:

Angling	A form of fishing using a hook and line. A rod or pole is often additionally used, e.g. for sport fishing.
Game	Wild mammals or birds hunted for sport or food.
Honeycomb	A structure of hexagonal wax cells, made by bees to store honey and larvae.
Poultry	Domesticated fowl, such as chickens, ducks, turkeys and geese.
Stock	Domesticated animals bred and kept for their produce.