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IPC Subclass
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

In class comparison

A47K ranks 6th of 9 subclasses with filings in A47, with 109,102 applications between 2013 and 2023, 7.8% of the class. Annual filings declined 6% from 2013 to 2023, below the class as a whole (+47%).

Subclasses of class A47 by patent applications, 2013–2023
RankSubclassTitleApplicationsShare
1A47J, Kitchen Equipment; Coffee Mills; Spice Mills; Apparatus for Making BeveragesKitchen Equipment; Coffee Mills; Spice Mills; Apparatus for Making Beverages324,66423.2%
2A47B, Tables; Desks; Office Furniture; Cabinets; Drawers; General Details of FurnitureTables; Desks; Office Furniture; Cabinets; Drawers; General Details of Furniture284,84720.3%
3A47L, Domestic Washing or Cleaning; Suction Cleaners in GeneralDomestic Washing or Cleaning; Suction Cleaners in General203,62514.5%
4A47G, Household or Table EquipmentHousehold or Table Equipment192,47013.7%
5A47C, Chairs; Sofas; BedsChairs; Sofas; Beds166,49511.9%
6A47KSanitary Equipment; Accessories Therefor, e.g. Toilet Accessories109,1027.8%
7A47F, Special Furniture, Fittings, or Accessories for Shops, Storehouses, Bars, Restaurants, or the Like; Paying CountersSpecial Furniture, Fittings, or Accessories for Shops, Storehouses, Bars, Restaurants, or the Like; Paying Counters77,2685.5%
8A47D, Furniture Specially Adapted for ChildrenFurniture Specially Adapted for Children27,3572.0%
9A47H, Furnishings for Windows or DoorsFurnishings for Windows or Doors15,4491.1%

Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings

Related Keywords

LATRINESLAVABOSLAVATORIESSANITARY equipmentTOILET accessoriesWASH basins; ewers

9 direct subcodes

Child Classifications

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  • A47K 4/00 Combinations of baths, showers, sinks, wash-basins, closets, or urinals, not covered by a single other group of this subclass

Top Applicants

Top 10 applicants by patent filingsfor class A47, 2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT

  1. ZHEJIANG SUPOR 13,571
  2. MIDEA 10,855
  3. JOYOUNG COMPANY 10,106
  4. FOSHAN SHUNDE MIDEA ELECTRICAL HEATING APPLIANCES MANUFACTURING COMPANY 9,846
  5. LG ELECTRONICS KR 7,657
  6. GREE ELECTRIC APPLIANCES 4,805
  7. GUANGDONG MIDEA ELECTRICAL APPLIANCE COMPANY 4,508
  8. NINGBO FOTILE KITCHENWARE COMPANY 4,300
  9. HAIER SMART HOME 3,964
  10. BSH (BOSCH UND SIEMENS HAUSGERAETE) DE 3,910