Background
An automatic faucet (sometimes called a sensor faucet) is a faucet with a hands-free mechanism for opening and closing its valve. The use of such faucets is mainly confined to public washrooms where they are an important tool for conserving water and mitigating the spread of germs. They are even called by other names such as Electronic Faucet, Sensor Faucet, Hands Free Faucet, Touch-less Faucet, even Infrared Faucet.
They have several advantages Sensor or automatic faucets have the advantage of shutting off automatically after a hand wash therefore cutting down on water waste. This waste is also a concern for people who care for the environment. When installed in home, sensor faucets alleviate the need for parents to ensure that children have turned off taps. Sensor faucets can benefit elderly people or those suffering from arthritis since there are no handles to twist or pull. Economically, sensor faucets use less water resulting in direct savings on your water bill. In a kitchen setting, they automatically shut off after you have used the correct amount of water for rinsing a pan or washing an apple which also eliminates the worry of a sink overflowing.They have become a central theme in the American experience.
References:Automatic Sensor Faucets, Automatic Faucet
Search Strategy
Control Patents
| S.No | Patent/Publication Number | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
| 1 | US7997301B2 | 16/08/2011 | Masco Corp | Spout assembly for an electronic faucet |
| 2 | US7627909B2 | 8/12/2009 | Kohler Co | Faucet sensor mounting assembly |
| 3 | US7174577B2 | 13/02/2007 | Technical Concepts LLC | Automatic proximity faucet |
| 4 | US7150293B2 | 19/12/2006 | Masco Corp | Multi mode hands free automatic faucet |
| 5 | US6513787B1 | 4/2/2003 | American standard INT INC | Touchless fluid supply interface and apparatus |
| 6 | US20100071126A1 | 25/03/2010 | Geberit INT AG | Faucet controlled in a contactless manner |
| 7 | US20090100593A1 | 23/04/2009 | Black Pearl Industries | Automatic hand washing system |
| 8 | US20080283786A1 | 20/11/2008 | Ultraclenz LLC | Infrared retrofit faucet controller |
| 9 | EP1019791B1 | 12/6/2002 | Wonder E C LLC | Water faucet with touchless control |
| 10 | EP0921238A1 | 9/6/1999 | Grohe armaturen friedrich | Electrically controlled water tap |
Classifications
The following classifications were considered while searching for patents.
US Classifications
| US Class | Description |
| 4/623 | Baths, closets, sinks, and spittoons - with proximity operated valve |
| 4/678 | Baths, closets, sinks, and spittoons -faucet or spout |
| 137/001 | Fluid handling - Processes |
| 137/551 | Fluid handling - with indicator, register,recorder,alarm or inspection means |
| 137/613 | Fluid handling - flow path with serial valves and/or closures |
| 137/801 | Fluid handling - Faucets and spouts |
| 251/12904 | Valves and valve actuation -remote control system for electrical actuator |
| 340/573.1 | Communications Electrical - human condition responsive indication system |
IPC/ ECLA Classificatioins
| IPC/ ECLA Class | Description |
| A47K000512 | Holders or dispensers for soap, toothpaste or the like - for liquid or pasty soap |
| E03C000105 | Plumbing installations for fresh water - arrangement of devices on wah basins, baths, sinks for remote control of taps |
| E03C000105D2 | Plumbing installations for fresh water - arrangement of devices on wah basins, baths, sinks for remote control of taps - using touchless sensors |
| F15D000102 | Influencing flow of fluids in pipes or conduits |
| F16K001100 | Multiple way valves |
| F16K001514 | Ckeck valves - with flexible valve members |
| F16K0031 | Valves , Taps,Cocks - Operating Means |
Micropatent Search
Databases Covered: US, EP, WO, JP, DE, GB, FR
Years:- 1991 to 2011
| S.No | Search Comments | results | criteria | Search String |
| 1 | Classes - Touchless control of Faucets | 907 hits | Any Classification | E03C000105D2 or 004623 |
| 2 | Keywords - Touchless Faucets | 1140 hits | Claims, Title or Abstract | (faucet*1 or (water near3 (tap or taps)) or spigot*1) NEAR4 (automatic*4 or (on adj demand) or sensor*1 or proximity or touchless or (touch adj less) or touchfree or (touch adj free) or electronic*4 or electric*4 or (hands adj free) or (contact adj (free or less))) |
| 3 | Keywords - Control of Faucets | 533 hits | Claims, Title or Abstract | (((human or man or woman or person*1 or humanbeing*1 or men or women) near3 (detect*3 or present or presence or movement or moving or action*1 or gesture*1)) or (voice near3 activat*3) or (control*4 near3 (algorithm*1 or mechanism*1 or system*1)) or (sensor*1 near3 signal*1)) SAME (faucet*1 or (water near3 (tap or taps)) or spigot*1) |
| 4 | Classes of Faucets | Any Classification | 137801 or 137613 or F16K001514 or F16K001100 or A47K000512 or E03D000124 or 004678 or F16K0031* or 137001 or 239067 or 137551 or F15D000102 or 25112903 or 3405731 | |
| 5 | Full patent spec. | (faucet*1 or (water near3 (tap or taps)) or spigot*1) NEAR10 (automatic*4 or (on adj demand) or sensor*1 or proximity or touchless or (touch adj less) or touchfree or (touch adj free) or electronic*4 or electric*4 or (hands adj free) or (contact adj (free or less))) | ||
| 6 | 1135 hits | Combined query | 4 AND 5 | |
| 7 | Class - Plumbing Installation | Any Classification | E03C000105 | |
| 8 | Full patent spec. | (faucet*1 or (water near3 (tap or taps)) or spigot*1) SAME(automatic*4 or (on adj demand) or sensor*1 or proximity or touchless or (touch adj less) or touchfree or (touch adj free) or electronic*4 or electric*4 or (hands adj free) or (contact adj (free or less))) | ||
| 9 | 944 hits | Combined query | 7 AND 8 | |
| 10 | 2645 hits (1618 Families) | Combined query | 1 OR 2 OR 3 OR 6 OR 9 |
Interactive Taxonomy
Dashboard
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Dashboard Link
| Automatic Faucets - Dashboard |  |
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Patent Analytics
Sample Analysis
A sample of 10 patents are categorized based on the taxonomy. Problem which a patent addresses and solution to the problem are also included in the analysis. The analysis sheet can be downloaded from the link given below.
Automatic Faucets Analysis Sheet
Design Patent Search
Classifications
Classes related to faucets from US and Locarno classifications are given in the table below.
| Classification | Class | Definition |
| US Design Class | 23/238 | ENVIRONMENTAL HEATING AND COOLING; FLUID HANDLING AND SANITARY EQUIPMENT/ Hand or foot operated pump or well curb/ Faucet fixture |
| 23/250 | ENVIRONMENTAL HEATING AND COOLING; FLUID HANDLING AND SANITARY EQUIPMENT/ Valve or body therefor/ Element or attachment/ Handle | |
| 23/255 | ENVIRONMENTAL HEATING AND COOLING; FLUID HANDLING AND SANITARY EQUIPMENT/ Valve or body therefor/ Element or attachment/ Spout | |
| Locarno Class | 23/01-F0039 | Indication of Goods or Services/ Faucet handles |
| 23/01-F0040 | Indication of Goods or Services/ Faucets |
Design Search
A Sample design search for a product of TOTO is shown in the table below.
| Product | Design Patent |
