5

Corkscrew Patents of Japan

Introduction

The first challenge on my initial visit to the Japan Patent Office was to find

the Japanese classification for corkscrews. My search led me to the general

category “Type 1 Openers (i.e. Removal of Stoppers and Lids)”. This

classification was divided into:

Stopper Removal

Use of Corkscrews

Corkscrew with a Mounting Guide

Use of Air Pressure

Pinching and Removal of the Cork

Removers with a means for retrieving stoppers accidentally dropped

inside a container

The bulk of the patents pictured in this book were found under those

categories. In addition some were found under knives and a variety of other

classifications.

Early patents are strictly in Japanese characters. To interpret these one needs

to be able to sight the Emperor name year of reign in order to convert to the

Western year. Such totally Japanese patents can be found for Emperors

Mutsuhito and Yoshihito. Their reigns were known as Meiji and Taishô.

Mutsuhito (Meiji) reign was 1866-1912. To convert the year to

Western Year add 67 (e.g. 14 + 67 = 1881) (Coronation was 1868).

Yoshihito (Taishô) reign was 1912-1926. To convert the year to

Western Year add 11 (e.g. 12 + 11 = 1923) (Coronation was 1915)