WATER-CLOSETS OR URINALS WITH FLUSHING DEVICES; FLUSHING VALVES THEREFOR

Introduced: September 1968

Classification Context

Section:: FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
Class:: WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
Subclass:: WATER-CLOSETS OR URINALS WITH FLUSHING DEVICES; FLUSHING VALVES THEREFOR

Description

E03D covers water-closets, urinals, and associated flushing mechanisms that control water discharge for sanitary purposes. This subclass includes the structural design of toilet bowls and urinal fixtures, along with the specialized valves and control systems that regulate water flow during the flush cycle. Patents in this area typically address innovations in valve actuation (mechanical, pneumatic, or electronic), water efficiency mechanisms, and the integration of flushing hardware with sanitary fixtures themselves.

Filing statistics

IPC subclass E03D recorded 48,004 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings grew from 3,300 in 2013 to 3,633 in 2023 (+10%), peaking at 5,771 applications in 2020. The most active applicants in class E03 are TOTO (2,957 applications), LIXIL CORPORATION (1,646 applications) and XIAMEN RT PLUMBING TECHNOLOGY COMPANY (925 applications).

Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings

Related Keywords

BIDETS with upward spraying meanswater CLOSET(S)water CLOSET(S) with flushingclosets or urinals with flushingLATRINESLAVATORIESPRIVIESTOILET closets or urinals with flushingflushing VALVES for water closetsWATER closets

7 direct subcodes

Child Classifications

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E03D 1/00 Water flushing devices with cisterns
E03D 11/00 Other component parts of water-closets
E03D 13/00 Urinals
E03D 3/00 Flushing devices operated by pressure of the water supply system
E03D 5/00 Special constructions of flushing devices
E03D 7/00 Wheeled lavatories
E03D 9/00 Sanitary or other accessories for lavatories

Top Applicants

Top 10 applicants by patent filingsfor class E03, 2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT

TOTO 2,957
LIXIL CORPORATION 1,646
XIAMEN RT PLUMBING TECHNOLOGY COMPANY 925
NEOPERL DE 870
GROHE DE 828
PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY 738
WUHAN SHENGYU DRAINAGE SYSTEMS COMPANY 727
GEBERIT INTERNATIONAL CH 613
KOHLER COMPANY US 570
TOTO JP 549