A47K SANITARY EQUIPMENT; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR, e.g. TOILET ACCESSORIES
Introduced: September 1968
Classification Context
- Section:
- HUMAN NECESSITIES
- Class:
- FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- Subclass:
- SANITARY EQUIPMENT; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR, e.g. TOILET ACCESSORIES
Description
A47K encompasses sanitary equipment and related fixtures designed for personal hygiene and sanitation purposes, primarily for bathroom and toilet facilities. This subclass covers items such as toilet seats, bidets, urinals, washbasins, towel racks, soap dispensers, and similar accessories intended for residential, commercial, or institutional use. The classification includes both fixed installations and portable sanitary devices, as well as hardware and mounting systems for these fixtures. Adjacent classes distinguish sanitary plumbing systems (A47L for cleaning appliances) and specialized medical or laboratory equipment, which are covered elsewhere in the IPC hierarchy.
Filing statistics
IPC subclass A47K recorded 109,102 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings declined from 8,050 in 2013 to 7,591 in 2023 (-6%), peaking at 14,006 applications in 2020. The most active applicants in class A47 are ZHEJIANG SUPOR (13,571 applications), MIDEA (10,855 applications) and JOYOUNG COMPANY (10,106 applications).
Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings
Related Keywords
9 direct subcodes
Child Classifications
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- A47K 1/00 Wash-stands; Appurtenances therefor
- A47K 10/00 Body-drying implements; Toilet paper; Holders therefor
- A47K 11/00 Closets without flushing; Urinals without flushing; Chamber pots; Chairs with toilet conveniences or specially adapted for use with toilets
- A47K 13/00 Seats or covers for all kinds of closets
- A47K 17/00 Other sanitary equipment not covered by the other groups of this subclass
- A47K 3/00 Baths; Showers; Appurtenances therefor
- A47K 4/00 Combinations of baths, showers, sinks, wash-basins, closets, or urinals, not covered by a single other group of this subclass
- A47K 5/00 Holders or dispensers for soap, toothpaste or the like
- A47K 7/00 Body washing or cleaning implements
Top Applicants
Top 10 applicants by patent filingsfor class A47, 2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT
- ZHEJIANG SUPOR 13,571
- MIDEA 10,855
- JOYOUNG COMPANY 10,106
- FOSHAN SHUNDE MIDEA ELECTRICAL HEATING APPLIANCES MANUFACTURING COMPANY 9,846
- LG ELECTRONICS KR 7,657
- GREE ELECTRIC APPLIANCES 4,805
- GUANGDONG MIDEA ELECTRICAL APPLIANCE COMPANY 4,508
- NINGBO FOTILE KITCHENWARE COMPANY 4,300
- HAIER SMART HOME 3,964
- BSH (BOSCH UND SIEMENS HAUSGERAETE) DE 3,910