The first conveyor belt sushi patent was granted in 1967 to "Genroku Sushi", the first sushi restaurant in Osaka, marking the beginning of culinary automation and adding an entertainment feel at tables. Over the years, conveyor belt sushi has transcended its Japanese origins, with restaurants worldwide. The conveyor belt sushi restaurants in Japan have been incorporating new technologies such as ordering with tablet-type-menus, and shuttle belt conveyers, not rotating any more.
In Japan, Ishino Seisakusho, a company based in Ishikawa prefecture about 250km north of Kyoto, has played a significant role in manufacturing the core technology behind conveyor belt sushi.
As sushi chains expand globally, there has been growing interest in filing patent applications abroad for sushi conveyor systems. A search in the European Patent Office database (Espacenet) using the applicant name "Ishino Seisakusho" resulted in 19 hits. Among them, 13 applications were filed with the US Patent and Trademark Office, three in China, two in South Korea, and one in Hong Kong.
In general, deciding where to file patent applications is crucial for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) e.g. Ishino and start-ups. Given the high costs, these entities often prioritize countries anticipating significant sales. This decision where to file patent applications becomes particularly challenging for start-ups with limited financial resources, which makes investors' support essential for protecting their innovative technologies as much as jurisdictions.