IP Library Granted Patent US 7,250,587
Granted Patent B2
US 7,250,587 · App. 11/154,282 · Granted Jul 31, 2007

Method for simultaneously toasting bread and steaming

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,250,587
App. No.
11/154,282
Granted
Jul 31, 2007
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method for toasting bread and simultaneously cooking or warming another food with a single device, comprising the steps of: inserting at least one piece of bread into a vertically oriented bread slot of a combination bread toaster and steamer device; placing water into a heater pan of a steamer compartment on the combination bread toaster and steamer device; placing another food into the steamer compartment; and activating at least one heating element associated with the bread slot and the steamer compartment

Claims (51)

1. A method for toasting bread and simultaneously cooking or warming another food with a single device, comprising:

inserting at least one piece of bread into a bread slot of a combination bread toaster and steamer device;

placing water into a heater pan of a steamer compartment on the combination bread toaster and steamer device;

placing another food into the steamer compartment; and

activating a single input on the combination bread toaster and steamer device that activates a controller that initially activates a steamer heating element associated with the steamer compartment and subsequently and automatically activates a bread heating element associated with the bread slot.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1 , wherein placing another food into the steamer compartment further includes: placing at least an egg white from an opened egg shell into an egg cup in the steamer compartment; and wherein the step of activating a controller further includes: activating a controller to activate the steamer heating element for approximately four minutes, and to subsequently activate the bread heating element at least approximately 45 seconds after activation of the steamer heating element.

3. A method in accordance with claim 1 , further comprising:

placing a meat on a meat tray disposable over the steamer compartment, the meat tray having a plurality of apertures therein.

4. A method in accordance with claim 3 , further comprising:

aligning and engaging handles of the steamer cup, the meat tray and a lid, each having a handle that aligns and engages with an adjacent handle to maintain alignment of the handles.

5. A method in accordance with claim 1 , further comprising:

aligning and engaging handles of the steamer cup and a lid, each having a handle that aligns and engages with an adjacent handle to maintain alignment of the handles.

6. A method in accordance with claim 1 , wherein placing another food in the steamer cup further includes:

determining whether an opened egg or an unopened egg will be cooked, and then either:

placing at least an egg white of an opened egg in an egg cup in the steamer cup; or

placing at least one unopened egg into an aperture of the steamer cup.

7. A method in accordance with claim 1 , further comprising:

inserting a steamer cup into a steamer cup indentation extending into the housing both horizontally from a side of the housing and vertically from a top of the housing to receive the steamer cup, the steamer cup indentation including a substantially vertically oriented wall around at least a portion of the steamer cup indentation.

8. A method for toasting bread and simultaneously cooking or warming another food with a single device, comprising:

inserting at least one piece of bread into a bread slot of a combination bread toaster and steamer device;

placing water into a heater pan of a steamer compartment on the combination bread toaster and steamer device;

placing another food into the steamer compartment; and

activating only a single input on the combination bread toaster and steamer device that activates a steamer heating element associated with the steamer compartment and activates a bread heating element associated with the bread slot.

9. A method in accordance with claim 8 , wherein placing another food into the steamer compartment further includes: placing at least an egg white from an opened egg shell into an egg cup in the steamer compartment; and wherein the step of activating a controller further includes: activating a controller to activate the steamer heating element for approximately four minutes, and to subsequently activate the bread heating element at least approximately 45 seconds after activation of the steamer heating element.

10. A method in accordance with claim 8 , further comprising:

placing a meat on a meat tray disposable over the steamer compartment, the meat tray having a plurality of apertures therein.

11. A method in accordance with claim 10 , further comprising:

aligning and engaging handles of the steamer cup, the meat tray and a lid, each having a handle that aligns and engages with an adjacent handle to maintain alignment of the handles.

12. A method in accordance with claim 8 , further comprising:

aligning and engaging handles of the steamer cup and a lid, each having a handle that aligns and engages with an adjacent handle to maintain alignment of the handles.

13. A method in accordance with claim 8 , wherein placing another food in the steamer cup further includes:

determining whether an opened egg or an unopened egg will be cooked, and then either:

placing at least an egg white of an opened egg in an egg cup in the steamer cup; or

placing at least one unopened egg into an aperture of the steamer cup.

14. A method in accordance with claim 8 , further comprising:

inserting a steamer cup into a steamer cup indentation extending into the housing both horizontally from a side of the housing and vertically from a top of the housing to receive the steamer cup, the steamer cup indentation including a substantially vertically oriented wall around at least a portion of the steamer cup indentation.

15. A method in accordance with claim 8 , further comprising:

providing a combination bread toaster and steamer device that deactivates the bread heating element prior to deactivating the steamer heating element, and that maintains the bread inside the combination bread toaster and steamer device until deactivation of the steamer heating element.

16. A method for toasting bread and simultaneously cooking or warming another food with a single device, comprising:

inserting at least one piece of bread into a bread slot of a combination bread toaster and steamer device;

placing water into a heater pan of a steamer compartment on the combination bread toaster and steamer device;

placing at least an egg white from an opened egg shell into an egg cup;

placing the egg cup in the steamer compartment over the heater pan;

placing meat on a meat tray;

placing the meat tray in the steamer compartment over the heater pan; and

activating at least one heating element associated with the bread slot and the steamer compartment.

17. A method in accordance with claim 16 , wherein activating further includes activating a single input on the combination bread toaster and steamer device that activates a controller that initially activates a steamer heating element associated with the steamer compartment and subsequently and automatically activates a bread heating element associated with the bread slot.

18. A method in accordance with claim 16 , wherein activating further includes activating a controller to activate the steamer heating element for approximately four minutes, and to subsequently activate the bread heating element at least approximately 45 seconds after activation of the steamer heating element.

19. A method in accordance with claim 16 , further comprising:

aligning and engaging handles of the steamer cup, the meat tray and a lid, each having a handle that aligns and engages with an adjacent handle to maintain alignment of the handles.

20. A method in accordance with claim 16 , wherein placing the egg cup in the steamer compartment further includes inserting the steamer cup into a steamer cup indentation extending into the housing both horizontally from a side of the housing and vertically from a top of the housing to receive the steamer cup.

Assignments (33)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 26, 2025
From: THE LEGACY COMPANIES, LLC
To: PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 071738/0160 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 26, 2025
From: PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: GREENFIELD WORLD TRADE, INC.; GREENFIELD WORLD TRADE EXPORTS, INC; OMEGA PRODUCTS, INC.; MORADA PRODUCTS, LLC; AVANTI PRODUCTS, LLC
Reel/Frame 071736/0704 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 26, 2025
From: PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: GREENFIELD WORLD TRADE, INC.; GREENFIELD WORLD TRADE EXPORTS INC; OMEGA PRODUCTS, INC; MORADA PRODUCTS, LLC; EDGECRAFT CORPORATION; AVANTI PRODUCTS, LLC
Reel/Frame 071736/0757 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 25, 2025
From: TCW ASSET MANAGEMENT COMPANY LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: GREENFIELD WORLD TRADE, INC.; EDGECRAFT CORPORATION; OMEGA PRODUCTS, INC.
Reel/Frame 071703/0770 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 24, 2025
From: THE LEGACY COMPANIES LLC
To: TCW ASSET MANAGEMENT COMPANY LLC, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 071707/0656 →
RELEASE OF PATENT SECURITY INTEREST RECORDED AT R/F 029579/0894 Recorded Mar 6, 2025
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: FPG, LLC; CLP FPG, INC.
Reel/Frame 070434/0732 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 31, 2021
From: GREENFIELD WORLD TRADE, INC.; GREENFIELD WORLD TRADE EXPORTS INC.; OMEGA PRODUCTS, INC.; MORADA PRODUCTS, LLC; EDGECRAFT CORPORATION; AVANTI PRODUCTS, LLC
To: PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 058601/0661 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 5, 2019
From: NORTHPORT TRS, LLC
To: GREENFIELD WORLD TRADE, INC.
Reel/Frame 048500/0323 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 5, 2019
From: GREENFIELD WORLD TRADE, INC.; EDGECRAFT CORPORATION; OMEGA PRODUCTS, INC.
To: TCW ASSET MANAGEMENT COMPANY LLC
Reel/Frame 048505/0502 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 4, 2019
From: GREENFIELD WORLD TRADE, INC.; GREENFIELD WORLD TRADE EXPORTS, INC.; MORADA PRODUCTS, LLC; OMEGA PRODUCTS, INC.; EDGECRAFT CORPORATION; AVANTI PRODUCTS, LLC
To: PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 048499/0032 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 19, 2017
From: SJC DLF II-H, LLC, AS AGENT
To: FOCUS PRODUCTS GROUP INTERNATIONAL, LLC
Reel/Frame 043239/0271 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 23, 2017
From: GREENFIELD WORLD TRADE, INC.
To: NORTHPORT TRS, LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 042073/0061 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 9, 2017
From: FOCUS PRODUCTS GROUP INTERNATIONAL, LLC
To: GREENFIELD WORLD TRADE, INC.
Reel/Frame 041533/0687 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 9, 2017
From: GREENFIELD WORLD TRADE, INC.; GREENFIELD WORLD TRADE EXPORTS, INC.; OMEGA PRODUCTS, INC.; ORIEN WORLDWIDE, LLC; EDGECRAFT CORPORATION
To: PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 041925/0788 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 7, 2017
From: SJC DLF II-H, LLC
To: FOCUS PRODUCTS GROUP INTERNATIONAL, LLC
Reel/Frame 041489/0624 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 7, 2017
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: FOCUS PRODUCTS GROUP INTERNATIONAL, LLC
Reel/Frame 041905/0919 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 6, 2017
From: SJC DLF II-H, LLC
To: FOCUS PRODUCTS GROUP INTERNATIONAL, LLC
Reel/Frame 041472/0737 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 3, 2017
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: FOCUS PRODUCTS GROUP INTERNATIONAL, LLC
Reel/Frame 041889/0363 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jan 9, 2015
From: FOCUS PRODUCTS GROUP INTERNATIONAL, LLC
To: SJC DLF II-H, LLC, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 034747/0027 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS AT REEL/FRAME NO. 29564/0203 Recorded Jan 7, 2015
From: LBC CREDIT PARTNERS II, L.P.
To: FOCUS PRODUCTS GROUP INTERNATIONAL, LLC (F/K/A FPG, LLC)
Reel/Frame 034741/0252 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jan 7, 2013
From: FPG, LLC; CLP FPG, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
Reel/Frame 029579/0894 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jan 3, 2013
From: FPG, LLC
To: LBC CREDIT PARTNERS II, L.P., AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 029564/0203 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Dec 3, 2012
From: FPG, LLC
To: FOCUS PRODUCTS GROUP INTERNATIONAL, LLC
Reel/Frame 029395/0765 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 26, 2012
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. (SUCCESSOR TO LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION)
To: BACK TO BASICS PRODUCTS, LLC
Reel/Frame 029200/0641 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 17, 2012
From: BACK TO BASICS PRODUCTS, LLC
To: FOCUS PRODUCTS GROUP, LLC
Reel/Frame 028808/0341 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 17, 2012
From: FOCUS PRODUCTS GROUP, LLC
To: FPG, LLC
Reel/Frame 028802/0142 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 1, 2012
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: FOCUS PRODUCTS GROUP, LLC; AMOCO HOUSEWORKS, LLC; SENSIBLE STORAGE, LLC; WEST BEND HOUSEWARES, LLC; JPX, LLC (FORMERLY KNOWN AS JERDON PRODUCTS, LLC); XTRAORDINARY HOME PRODUCTS, LLC; SHOWER SOLUTIONS, LLC; FOCUS FOOD SERVICE, LLC; BACK TO BASICS PRODUCTS, LLC; STEELTEK, LLC
Reel/Frame 028698/0831 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 24, 2009
From: FOCUS PRODUCTS GROUP, LLC; AMCO HOUSEWORKS, LLC; SENSIBLE STORAGE, LLC; WEST BEND HOUSEWARES, LLC; JERDON PRODUCTS, LLC; XTRAORDINARY HOME PRODUCTS, LLC; SHOWER SOLUTIONS, LLC; FOCUS FOOD SERVICE, LLC; BACK TO BASICS PRODUCTS, LLC; STEELTEK, LLC
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N. A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 023556/0567 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 2, 2007
From: BACK TO BASICS PRODUCTS, LLC
To: LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, A NATIONAL BANKING ASSOCIATION OF THE U.S.
Reel/Frame 019235/0180 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 19, 2007
From: BACK TO BASICS PRODUCTS, INC.
To: BACK TO BASICS PRODUCTS, LLC
Reel/Frame 019028/0710 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 2, 2007
From: BACK TO BASICS PRODUCTS, INC.
To: BACK TO BASICS PRODUCTS, LLC
Reel/Frame 018952/0512 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 17, 2006
From: ELY, DAVID; BEESLEY, BRIAN K.; PARKINSON, ALAN Q.; BRANDT, CLAUDE R.
To: BACK TO BASICS PRODUCTS, INC.
Reel/Frame 017793/0730 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 5, 2005
From: ELY, MR. DAVID; BEESLEY, MR. BRIAN K.; PARKINSON, MR. ALAN
To: BACK TO BASICS PRODUCTS, INC.
Reel/Frame 016359/0779 →