SEWERS; CESSPOOLS

Introduced: September 1968

Classification Context

Section:: FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
Class:: WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
Subclass:: SEWERS; CESSPOOLS

Description

E03F covers the design, construction, and components of sewerage systems and individual wastewater containment structures. This includes sewage pipes, conduits, underground mains, connection networks, inspection and access points (manholes), and treatment-related infrastructure for collecting and transporting municipal and domestic wastewater. Also encompassed are cesspools, septic tanks, and similar on-site wastewater storage or treatment devices for areas lacking centralized sewerage. The classification excludes water supply systems (E03B), water purification and treatment plants (E03C), and the mechanical/chemical processes of wastewater treatment itself (typically C05 or other process classes).

Filing statistics

IPC subclass E03F recorded 112,948 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings grew from 3,081 in 2013 to 16,751 in 2023 (+444%), peaking at 17,862 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

draining CHANNELS in roadwaysDRAINAGE of roadsDRAINSSTENCH traps for sewers

6 direct subcodes

Child Classifications

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E03F 1/00 Methods, systems, or installations for draining-off sewage or storm water
E03F 11/00 Cesspools
E03F 3/00 Sewer pipe-line systems
E03F 5/00 Sewerage structures
E03F 7/00 Other installations or implements for operating sewer systems, e.g. for preventing or indicating stoppage; Emptying cesspools
E03F 9/00 Arrangements or fixed installations for cleaning sewer pipes, e.g. by flushing

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