Patent ID: 8443721

Claim:
A food product steamer (steamer) comprising: a base comprised of a top side, first and second opposing side walls, first and second opposing end walls, and an opening in the top side through which steam can be emitted, the opening being located between the first and second opposing side walls and between the first and second opposing end walls; a food product platform (platform) comprised of a first hinge, which is attached to the base at a first distance away from the opening toward the first side wall, the first hinge rotating between an acute first angle and a larger second angle, the first and second angles being measured around a first geometric axis defined by said first hinge, wherein at the first angle, the platform supports a food product to receive steam from the opening; a steam-trapping hood (hood) comprised of a second hinge, which is attached to the base at a second distance away from the opening toward the second side wall, the second hinge rotating between an acute third angle and a larger fourth angle, the third and fourth angles being as measured around a second geometric axis defined by said second hinge, the first geometric axis and the second geometric axis being on opposite sides of the opening and substantially parallel to each other; wherein when said first hinge is rotated to the first acute angle and the second hinge is rotated to the third acute angle, the platform is over the opening and the hood substantially covers a food product on the platform, the direction of the first hinge's rotation relative to the second angle being opposite the direction of the second hinge's rotation to the fourth angle.