Patents by Inventor Sigeharu Kanamoto

Sigeharu Kanamoto has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Food drying method
    Patent number: 6125550
    Abstract: The field of the invention is food drying apparatus and methods. In particular, the invention discloses a rotary dryer which dries food granules, such as rice, by rotation within a perforated cylindrical barrel, to prepare the rice for packaging. The dryer provides high velocity drying zones along its length, and high temperatures may be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignees: Riviana Foods, Inc., Satake Corporation
    Inventors: John Hugh Kendall, Ranvir Biki Mohindra, Duane Stephen Rutherford, Satoru Satake, Sigeharu Kanamoto, Katsuyuki Kumamoto
  • Apparatus and method for cooking food products for consumption
    Patent number: 6082251
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for cooking food products. In particular, cereal grains and rice products may be cooked pursuant to a multi-step process in which rice is first prewashed, presteamed, and then allowed to absorb water in a steeping step for a short time before being cooked in a steam cooker. The rice may be passed along to various dryers, and later dried and packaged for use by the consumer. Further, an apparatus and method are disclosed for using and recirculating water in a more efficient and economical manner in a food processing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignees: Riviana Foods, Inc., Satake Corp.
    Inventors: John Hugh Kendall, Banvir B. Mohindra, Duane Stephen Rutherford, Satoru Satake, Sigeharu Kanamoto, Katsuyuki Kumamoto
  • Method for processing rice
    Patent number: 5997930
    Abstract: The field of the invention relates to a method for processing food products to prepare the food products for packaging. The methods involve presteaming, steeping, steam cooking, and then drying the food products. The method reveals pressure cooking with a pressure that is maintained below 15 psi, and in a steam vessel. Chemical additives may be added to the food products during processing. The apparatus includes a conveyor, steeping tanks as needed, and a water recirculation system. A dryer which includes a rotating barrel adapted for agitation of the food products during cooking is also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignees: Riviana Foods, Inc., USA/Higashi-Hiroshima
    Inventors: John Hugh Kendall, Ranvir Biki Mohindra, Duane Stephen Rutherford, Satoru Satake, Sigeharu Kanamoto, Katsuyuki Kumamoto
  • Food drying apparatus
    Patent number: 5852882
    Abstract: The field of the invention is food drying apparatus and methods. In particular, the invention discloses a rotary dryer which dries food granules, such as rice, by rotation within a perforated cylindrical barrel, to prepare the rice for packaging. The dryer provides high velocity drying zones along its length, and high temperatures may be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignees: Riviana Foods, Inc., Satake Corporation
    Inventors: John Hugh Kendall, Ranvir Biki Mohindra, Duane Stephen Rutherford, Satoru Satake, Sigeharu Kanamoto, Katsuyuki Kumamoto
  • Method for efficient utilization of water in processing food products
    Patent number: 5744184
    Abstract: Water is circulated in the processing of food products, such as rice, and in quantities sufficient to avoid undesirable clumping within processing machinery. Further, recycled water produced during the processing of food products is recirculated and reabsorbed by the food products. A portion of the water which contains cooked starch is drained off, and the remainder is recirculated in the processing of additional food products. In one application, a method and apparatus for recirculating water in the processing of rice is provided, whereby the ratio of the amount of water used and/or excreted in the processing of the rice as compared to the amount of cooked rice is less than or equal to about 3:1 by volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Riviana Foods, Inc.
    Inventors: John Hugh Kendall, Ranvir Biki Mohindra, Duane Stephen Rutherford, Satoru Satake, Sigeharu Kanamoto, Katsuyuki Kumamoto
  • Apparatus for cooking food products for consumption
    Patent number: 5613428
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for cooking food products. In particular, cereal grains and rice products may be cooked pursuant to a multi-step process in which rice is first prewashed, presteamed, and then allowed to absorb water in a steeping step for a short time before being cooked in a steam cooker. The rice may be passed along to various dryers, and later dried and packaged for use by the consumer. Further, an apparatus and method are disclosed for using and recirculating water in a more efficient and economical manner in a food processing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignees: Riviana Foods, Inc., Satake Corporation
    Inventors: John H. Kendall, Ranvir B. Mohindra, Duane S. Rutherford, Satoru Satake, Sigeharu Kanamoto, Katsuyuki Kumamoto