Egg yolk separation apparatus and methods

Abstract

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. 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.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A device for separating an egg yolk from an egg white, comprising:
 a yolk chamber component comprising a first opening and a second opening; and   a vacuum chamber component comprising an opening,   wherein said second opening of said yolk chamber component is detachably connected to said opening of said vacuum chamber component,   wherein said vacuum chamber component creates a vacuum, when compressed and released by a user, sufficient to draw an egg yolk into said yolk chamber component.   
     
     
         2 . A device as in  claim 1 , wherein said yolk chamber component consists primarily of one or more of polycarbonate, polypropylene, styrene acrylonitrite, and copolyester. 
     
     
         3 . A device as in  claim 1 , wherein said yolk chamber component consists primarily of a rigid, food-safe material. 
     
     
         4 . A device as in  claim 1 , wherein said vacuum chamber component consists primarily of a flexible, food-safe material. 
     
     
         5 . A device as in  claim 1 , wherein said yolk chamber component is transparent. 
     
     
         6 . A device as in  claim 1 , wherein said vacuum chamber component consists primarily of at least one of thermoplastic elastomer and silicone. 
     
     
         7 . A device as in  claim 1 , wherein said vacuum chamber component is detachably connected to said yolk chamber component via a press fitting. 
     
     
         8 . A device as in  claim 7 , wherein said press fitting is a ribbed press fitting. 
     
     
         9 . A device as in  claim 1 , wherein said vacuum chamber component is detachably connected to said yolk chamber component via a threaded fitting. 
     
     
         10 . 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 said 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.   
     
     
         11 . A device as in  claim 10 , wherein said vacuum chamber component consists primarily of at least one of thermoplastic elastomer and silicone. 
     
     
         12 . A device as in  claim 10 , wherein said vacuum chamber component creates a vacuum, when compressed and released by a user, sufficient to draw an egg yolk into said yolk chamber component. 
     
     
         13 . 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 said yolk chamber component is operable to be connected to a vacuum chamber component comprised of a flexible, food-safe material and an opening.   
     
     
         14 . A device as in  claim 13 , wherein said vacuum chamber component creates a vacuum, when compressed and released by a user, sufficient to draw an egg yolk into said yolk chamber component. 
     
     
         15 . A device as in  claim 13 , wherein said yolk chamber component consists primarily of one or more of polycarbonate, polypropylene, styrene acrylonitrite, and copolyester. 
     
     
         16 . A device as in  claim 1 , wherein:
 said yolk chamber component is symmetric about a first axis, and said vacuum chamber component is symmetric about a second axis, and   when said yolk chamber component is connected to said vacuum chamber component, said first and second axes are aligned.   
     
     
         17 . A device as in  claim 17 , wherein said yolk chamber component comprises varying radii about said first axis. 
     
     
         18 . A device as in  claim 17 , wherein said vacuum chamber component comprises varying radii about said second axis.