Machine

In patent law. Any contrivance used to regulate or augment force or motion; more properly, a complex struct ure, consisting of a combination, or peculiar modification, of the mechanical powers. The term “machine,” in patent law, includes every mechanical device, or combination of me chanical powers and devices, to perform some funetion and produce a certain effect or result. But where the result or effect is produced by chemical action, by the operation or application of some element or power of nature, or of one substance to another, such modes, methods, or operations are called “processes.” A new process is usually the result of discovery; a machine, of invention.

15. How. 252, 267.