Cross-Reference to Related Applications

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent App. No. 61/730,605, filed November 28, 2012, and to U.S. Patent Application No. 13/737,740, filed January 9, 2013, each entitled "Egg Yolk Separation Apparatus and Methods." The entire contents of each of the above-referenced applications are incorporated herein by reference.

Introduction

While it is known that an egg yolk may be separated from its egg white using a plastic water bottle having suitable dimensions (see, for example, http://kitchenista- welcometomykitchen.blogspot.com/2012/10/how-to-separate-eggs -separate-eggs- with.html and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uz2Vnp5ZW4c), plastic bottles have several disadvantages, including: (a) imperfect separation of the egg yolk from the egg white, resulting in inclusion of some egg white with the separated egg yolk; (b) rupturing of the egg yolk during separation from the egg white; (c) difficulty separating more than one egg without first emptying each egg yolk from the bottle before separating another egg; and (d) difficulty removing and replacing an egg yolk from/in an egg white without rupturing the egg yolk and/or losing some of the egg in the bottle.

Moreover, plastic bottles are difficult to clean, resulting in a likelihood of bacterial contamination upon repeated use.

Also, plastic bottles may be difficult to squeeze, and often are noisy when squeezed. Finally, an empty plastic bottle is not an aesthetically pleasing item to keep in one's kitchen.

Thus, what is needed is an apparatus for separating an egg yolk from its egg white, that is reusable, easily cleaned, and aesthetically pleasing both visually and audibly (i.e., doesn't make the unpleasant cracking sound made by a plastic water bottle when squeezed).

An exemplary aspect comprises a device for separating an egg yolk from an egg white, comprising: (a) a yolk chamber component comprising a first opening and a second opening; and (b) a vacuum chamber component comprising an opening, wherein the second opening of the yolk chamber component is detachably connected to the opening of the vacuum chamber component.

In various exemplary embodiments: (1) the vacuum chamber component creates a vacuum, when compressed and released by a user, sufficient to draw an egg yolk into the yolk chamber component; (2) the yolk chamber component consists primarily of one or more of polycarbonate, PP, SAN, and Tritan; (3) the yolk chamber component consists primarily of a rigid, food-safe material; (4) the vacuum chamber component consists primarily of a flexible, food-safe material; (5) the yolk chamber component is transparent; (6) the vacuum chamber component consists primarily of at least one of TPE and silicone; (7) the vacuum chamber component is detachably connected to the yolk chamber component via a press fitting; (8) the press fitting is a ribbed press fitting; and (9) the vacuum chamber component is detachably connected to the yolk chamber component via a threaded fitting. Another exemplary aspect comprises a method of separating an egg yolk from an egg white, comprising: (a) compressing a vacuum chamber component, wherein the vacuum chamber component is detachably connected to a yolk chamber component, and wherein the yolk chamber component is empty; (b) placing the first opening of the yolk chamber component against an egg yolk; and (c) releasing pressure on the vacuum chamber component until the egg yolk is drawn into the yolk chamber component.

In various exemplary embodiments, the method further comprises: (1) compressing the vacuum chamber component until the egg yolk emerges from the egg yolk chamber component; (2) disconnecting the yolk chamber component from the vacuum chamber component, and separately cleaning the yolk chamber component and the vacuum chamber component; and (3) connecting the yolk chamber component to the vacuum chamber component.

Another exemplary aspect comprises a device for separating an egg yolk from an egg white, comprising a vacuum chamber component comprised of a flexible, food-safe material and an opening, wherein the vacuum chamber component is operable to be connected to a yolk chamber component comprised of a rigid, food- safe material and a first opening and a second opening.

In various exemplary embodiments: (1) the vacuum chamber component consists primarily of at least one of TPE and silicone; and (2) the vacuum chamber component creates a vacuum, when compressed and released by a user, sufficient to draw an egg yolk into the yolk chamber component. Another exemplary aspect comprises a device for separating an egg yolk from an egg white, comprising a yolk chamber component comprised of a rigid, food-safe material and a first opening and a second opening, wherein the yolk chamber component is operable to be connected to a vacuum chamber component comprised of a flexible, food- safe material and an opening.

In various exemplary embodiments: (1) the vacuum chamber component creates a vacuum, when compressed and released by a user, sufficient to draw an egg yolk into the yolk chamber component; and (2) the yolk chamber component consists primarily of one or more of polycarbonate, PP, SAN, and Tritan.

In further exemplary embodiments: (1) the yolk chamber component is sized to be slightly larger than a typical egg yolk; (2) a diameter of the first opening of the yolk chamber component is substantially less than a diameter of the second opening of the yolk chamber component; (3) a maximum diameter of the yolk chamber component is approximately half of a maximum diameter of the vacuum chamber component; (4) the vacuum chamber component is essentially ovoidal; (5) a volume of the vacuum chamber component is substantially greater than a volume of the yolk chamber component; (6) at least half of the yolk chamber component is essentially cylindrical on the end having the second opening (i.e., the opening that connects to the vacuum chamber component), and tapers to the first opening, wherein the first opening is substantially smaller than the second opening; and (7) a squeezing action sufficient to cause opposite sides of the vacuum chamber component to touch causes a portion of air to be displaced from the device, and a volume of the portion of air exceeds a volume of the yolk chamber component.

Other exemplary aspects and embodiments, and their advantages, will be apparent from the drawings and description below.

Brief Description of the Drawings

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary embodiment, assembled and disassembled.

FIG. 2 depicts exemplary usage.

FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary vacuum chamber component.

FIG. 6 depicts an exemplary yolk chamber component.

FIG. 7 depicts an exemplary yolk chamber component.

FIG. 8 depicts an exemplary embodiment, in a cutaway drawing.

FIG. 9 depicts an exemplary embodiment, showing a press fit seal.

FIGS. 10 and 11 depict additional views of exemplary embodiments, in assembled configurations.

FIGS. 12 and 13 depict additional views of exemplary embodiments, in disassembled configurations.

Detailed Description of Certain Exemplary Embodiments

An exemplary apparatus embodiment allows a user to easily separate an egg yolk from an egg white. An exemplary apparatus embodiment is depicted in FIG. 1. In this exemplary embodiment, the apparatus comprises two components: a vacuum chamber component 110, and a yolk chamber component 120. Those skilled in the art will understand that other embodiments may comprise a single component, or more than two components.

In an exemplary embodiment, a vacuum chamber component 110 may be comprised of TPE, silicone, or a similar flexible, durable material.

In an exemplary embodiment, a yolk chamber component 120 may be comprised of polycarbonate, acrylic, polypropylene (PP), SAN, Tritan co-polyester, bioplastic, glass, and/or similar material suitable for use with food products, with colors such as egg shell white, Pantone Q716-2-1, Pantone Q716-3-1, and Pantone Q758-1-2. Although it is preferred that yolk chamber 120 be of a clear material, non-clear materials such as rigid melamine, rubbery polypropylene, and the like also may be used. Exemplary dimensions are: height 100 mm, width 54 mm, but of course other dimensions may be used in other embodiments.

An exemplary apparatus embodiment allows a user to easily separate egg yolks from egg whites. In an exemplary first step (see step 210 in FIG. 2), the user cracks an egg and disgorges the contents into a bowl. Then (at step 220) the user compresses vacuum chamber component 110 and places yolk chamber component 120 onto the egg yolk. The user then releases pressure (see step 230) on vacuum chamber component 110 to vacuum up the egg yolk. The yolk sits in yolk chamber component 120 until it is squeezed out, for example, into a separate bowl (see step 240). The apparatus may be easily cleaned by separating vacuum chamber component 110 from yolk chamber component 120. See step 250 in FIG. 2. The two components may be then, for example, be hand washed or placed in a dishwasher.

In an exemplary embodiment, vacuum chamber component 110 attaches to yolk chamber component 120 via a pressure fitting. One example using a press fit double ribbed seal is depicted in FIG. 9. In other embodiments, a threaded fitting may be used. Those skilled in the art will understand that other embodiments may use other types of connections between vacuum chamber component 110 and yolk chamber component 120.

While certain exemplary aspects and embodiments have been described herein, many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, exemplary aspects and embodiments set forth herein are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.