Patent Publication Number: US-2020297166-A1

Title: Egg breaker and separator device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 16/416,950, filed May 20, 2019, which claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/674,798, filed on May 22, 2018, the entire contents of each application listed in this paragraph are herein incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a device for breaking an egg, and in particular, to a device for breaking and opening an egg, separating the yolk from the albumen, and directing the egg white into a fry pan or other surface, e.g. such as a dish. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The concept of an egg breaker and egg white separator is well known. Indeed, this is a well-developed field and many prior art patent references are quite old. Many are designed for a commercial high-production setting. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 966,933 to George Lewis issued 9 Aug. 1910 shows an egg breaker and separator using a flat inclined chute  12  over which the broken egg must pass. U.S. Pat. No. 2,789,602 to Zagala issued 23 Apr. 1957 shows an eggshell breaker and separator in which a plurality of eggs may be positioned within a tubular container, the eggs successively broken and the yolk and white of the egg separated. Still others are designed for consumer use. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,589,408 to Le Boeuf issued 18 Mar. 1952 shows an egg breaker and separator in which a trigger constricts a collar about the egg and breaks it with teeth. U.S. Pat. No. 1,409,649 to Becker issued 14 Mar. 1922 shows an egg breaker and optional separator with a squeeze handle breaker attached to an egg receiver cup. U.S. Pat. No. 1,611,541 to McCrocklin issued Dec. 21, 1926 and 2,505,717 to Nastrom issued 10 Mar. 1947 both shows tools for breaking and separating eggs comprising a hand-operated scissor device in which squeezing the handles brings opposing halves of an egg cage together to constrain the egg, and continued squeezing urges a breaker blade into the shell. The yolk remains in the cage while the white drains through. U.S. Pat. No. 7,836,823 to Vassallo issued 23 Nov. 2010 shows a trap-like device with egg-piercing teeth. To break and open an egg, the egg is placed in a cavity, and the tool and egg are rapped sharply against a hard surface, such that the shell of the egg is pierced. 
     Although the above-described egg breaking and/or separating devices are well-intentioned, none are capable of breaking and opening, separating the yolk from the albumen, and directing the egg white into a fry pan or pot, all with a single hand in mere seconds with minimal effort and maximum reliability. Indeed, the prior art designs make no attempt to extricate the yolk from the egg white, the result usually being a broken yolk and/or poor separation. This is largely because the foregoing designs fail to take a systematic approach toward disassembling the complex structure of an egg.  FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic view of the structure of a common egg. The yolk is supported within the albumin egg white and is suspended on opposing chalazae a pair of spring-like structures that project from the equatorial region of the vitelline membrane into the albumen. The chalazae act as balancers, maintaining the yolk in a steady position in the laid egg. The albumen is not of the same consistency throughout. This can be seen when emptying a fresh egg into a dish, the thinner, more watery, albumen spreads further than the thicker albumen which remains around the yolk. Within the unbroken egg, the same relationship occurs, the thicker albumen adhering to the vitelline membrane. To separate the yolk from the albumen, the yolk must be gently extricated from the albumen and isolated therefrom while the latter is drained, and then the yolk can be removed without breakage. 
     SUMMARY 
     An embodiment of the disclosure is a device for breaking an egg. The device includes a support base and a chute coupled to the support base. The chute has front end, a rear end, an enclosed section at the front end, and an open section at the rear end. The device also includes an egg separation assembly coupled to the enclosed section of the chute. The egg separation assembly has a curved panel and at least two vents proximate the curved panel. The curved panel is configured to receive a yolk of the egg and at least two vents are configured to permit an egg white of the egg to pass therethrough. The device also includes a breaker bar that spans across the chute and this positioned in a rearward direction relative to the egg separation assembly. The breaker bar is configured to crack a shell of the egg to release the yolk and the egg white onto the chute. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments of the present application, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purposes of illustrating the present application, there is shown in the drawings illustrative embodiments of the disclosure. It should be understood, however, that the application is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a sectional diagrammatic view of the composition of an egg; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the device for breaking and opening an egg according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the device illustrated in  FIG. 2 , but showing an egg separation assembly, which is used to separate the egg yolk from the egg white and a ramp according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the same device as in  FIGS. 2-3  illustrated in a folded configuration for storage; 
         FIG. 5A  is a top perspective view of a breaker bar used in the device illustrated in  FIGS. 2-4 ; 
         FIG. 5B  illustrates side views of a breaker bar shown in  FIG. 5A , with the break bar oriented in different positions; 
         FIG. 5C  is a side perspective view of an egg approaching a breaker bar used in the device illustrated in  FIGS. 2-4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a rear perspective view of a portion of the device shown in  FIGS. 2-4 , illustrating a portion of the chute assembly; 
         FIG. 7  is a top rear perspective view of a portion of the device shown in  FIGS. 2-4 , illustrating a portion of the chute assembly; 
         FIG. 8  is a side view of a portion of the device shown in  FIGS. 2-4 , illustrating an egg separation assembly; 
         FIG. 9  is a top perspective of the slide plate and ramp of the device shown in  FIGS. 2-4 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a rear view of an egg separation assembly of the device shown in FIGS. 
         FIG. 11  shows illustrates a base of the device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure include a device for breaking an egg and optionally separating the egg white from the yolk. As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the device  2  includes a support base  30 , a chute assembly  10  attached to the support base  30 , a breaker bar  36 , an egg separation assembly  42 , and an optional nozzle  52 . Optionally, the device  2  may also include a separate egg landing dish that is configured to receive the content of the egg exiting the device. 
     The chute assembly  10  may be removably attached to the support base  30  such that chute assembly  10  may be removed and separated from the support base  30  as needed. The chute assembly  10  has an elongated chute  12  along which the egg may travel by gravity. The chute  12 , which may be inclined relative to horizontal, includes an open section  49  at a rear end R of the device  2  and an enclosed section  50  at the front F of the chute  12 . As will be further discussed below, the cracked egg can travel along the chute  12  through the enclosed section  50  before exiting through the optional nozzle  52  to a receptacle (not number or shown). The receptacle can be a frying pan, pot, or dish, or anything else that receives the cracked egg. The open section  49  may be open approximately a distance of 5.0 inches measured from a rearward most point of the chute  12 . In this regard, the measured distance is parallel to the direction of the egg travels along the chute. The enclosed section  50  may extend about 2.5 inches from the terminal end of the open section  49  to the a rearward most end of the nozzle. Again, this measured distance is parallel to the direction of the egg travels along the chute. The distances the open section  49  and the enclosed section  50  of the chute  12  may vary from the specific values discussed above. For instance, the distance of the open section may be less than 5.0 inches or greater than 5.0 inches as needed. Five inches is only exemplary. Likewise, the distance of the enclosed section  50  may be greater than 2.5 inches or less than 2.5 inches as needed. As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the chute assembly  10  is attached to the support base  30  with an axle  35 . However, the chute assembly  10  may be attached to support base  30  with other means, as described further below. 
     The support base  30  includes two opposing arms  34   a  and  34   b  that support the breaker bar  36 . The breaker bar  36  is configured to facilitate breaking the shell of the egg. In the illustrated embodiment, the breaker bar  36  is positioned above the chute  12  so that the breaker bar spans across the chute  12 . In the example shown, the breaker bar is positioned a distance between about 2 inches and 3 inches above the chute  12 . In one example, the distance is about 2.5 inches. This particular distance is measured along a line that intersects the chute about two inches from a rearward end of a slide (discussed below). When the device  2  is resting on surface, this line is perpendicular to the surface upon which the device  2  rests. In some cases, the chute is inclined so that the line is angularly offset with respect to the surface of the chute. However, the breaker bar  36  may be positioned a distance that is less than three inches or is greater than three inches as needed. The breaker bar  36  may be rotatably mounted to arms  34   a  and  34   b  and straddles the arms  34   a  and  34   b  of the support base  30 . In other examples, the breaker bar  36  may be removably mounted the arms  34   a  and  34   b . In such an example, the breaker bar  36  does not specifically rotate. As illustrated, the arms  34   a  and  34   b  may be offset from the support base  30  a sufficient distance to allow the egg contents drop from the breaker bar  36  onto the chute. In one example, the offset distance is about one 1.5 inches. 
     The breaker bar  36  may be movably mounted to the arms  34   a  and  34   b  to facilitate adjustment of the breaker bar  36 . In one example, the breaker bar  36  is coupled to an actuator  40  ( FIG. 11 ), such as a protruding knob or the like, which allows a use to rotate the breaker bar  36  as needed. The breaker bar  36  has at least two functional edges. As shown, however, the breaker bar has three preferable three functional edges. In the illustrated embodiment, the breaker bar  36  has a cross-sectional shape that approximates an equilateral triangle. Other cross-sectional shapes may be employed so long as the breaker bar has two or more functional edges. In this regard, each functional edge is manufactured to a have different degree of sharpness, as best shown in  FIGS. 5A-5C . For example, the breaker bar  36  shown in  FIGS. 5A-5C  has three edges: a first edge A, which may be blunt; a second edge B, which may have a medium sharpness; and a third edge C that is sharper than the rest. The different functional edges are configured to facilitate cracking different egg shells because different eggs have different shell hardness. For example, store bought eggs have soft shells and would use a blunt edge. Farm-fresh eggs or brown eggs have very hard shells due to a higher content of calcium these chickens have more exposure to sunlight and thus vitamin D, and hence may require a more sharp edge. Accordingly, the breaker bar is movable, or rotatable, to orient one of the edges into a predetermined orientation. 
     In use, it is beneficial that a user approach the breaker bar  36  in a desired direction to create a specified angle with respect the desired functional edge of the breaker bar  36 . Thus, the user can use the actuator  40  to orient the edge toward the approaching egg. In the illustrated embodiment, user can select the appropriate edge by rotation of breaker bar  36  via the actuator  40 . In this example, the actuator  40  is a knob that protrudes from one of the arms. However, other mechanisms to change the position of the breaker bar  36  may be used. After the contents of the egg are spilled onto the open section  49  of chute  12 , the yolk and white slide down the chute  12  by gravity feed alone. 
     The device  2  also includes a movable egg-shell catcher  28 . The movable egg-shell catcher  28  is rotatably coupled the enclosed section  50  of the chute  12  at pivot point  27 . The pivot point  27  may be defined by any coupling mechanism that allows the moveable egg-shell catcher to rotate or pivot with respect to point  27 . The slide pin  19  can be used by the use to help position the moveable egg-shell catcher  28  in the correct position. In use, if the rear half of the egg shell should also fall from the hands of the user onto the chute it will be caught by a movable egg-shell catcher  28  that leaves enough bottom clearance to let the egg contents proceed beneath it along the chute. 
       FIGS. 3 and 4  illustrate how the device  2  can transition between a folded configuration for storage ( FIG. 4 ) and an active configuration ( FIG. 3 ) for use. In the folded configuration, the device  2  has a footprint of about 3.5 inches by 3.5 inches. However, the footprint in the folded configuration may be more than 3.5 inches by 3.5 inches. In certain embodiments, the base  30  includes a magnet  29  that may be used to secure the device  2  to a metal stovetop or carried in a holster. The magnet  29  may be a like neodymium magnet. 
       FIGS. 5A-5C  illustrate an embodiment of a breaker bar  36  used on the device  2 . As shown, the breaker bar  36  includes an apex  38   a  and a rearward surface  39   a  that extends from the apex  38   a  in a direction generally toward the rear or back of the device. The apex  38   a  of each edge of the breaker bar  36  is directed slightly forward toward the front the device. However, the apex  38   a  lies on a plane that intersects a vertical plane at a specific angle. The specified angle may range from 0 degrees to 90 degrees. However, the angle may vary forward toward the front or rearward toward the back of the device, depending on the orientation of the breaker bar  36  following rotation via the actuator  40  ( FIG. 11 ). For example, the angle may range from 0 degrees to +45 degrees forward or 0 to −45 degrees rearward relative to vertical plane. In a preferred example, the angle is between 10 and 20 degrees. In such an example, the angle is between +5 to +20 degrees forward of the vertical plane or −5 to −20 degrees rearward of the vertical plane. The rearward surface  39   a  of the breaker bar  36  guides the broken egg toward the chute  12 . More specifically, the rearward surface  39   a  of the breaker bar  36  is angled to provide a platform onto which the yolk and albumen will land and gently diverts them down and back to the chute  12 . However, to correctly break an egg shell one-handed, the direction of force should be directly down onto the breaker bar  36 . Once the shell is cracked a sharp pull backwards is performed leaving the forward half of the shell behind allowing the back part of the egg to release the contents of the egg yolk and albumen together to fall upon rearward surface  39   a  of the breaker bar  36  before landing on the chute  12 . 
       FIGS. 3 and 6-10  illustrates aspect of the device  2  which facilitates separation of the yolk from the egg white using ramp  16 . As shown in the Figures, the device  2  includes a ramp  16  disposed on the chute  12  ( FIG. 3 ) and gradually extends upward relative to the surface of the chute  12  itself. In addition, the ramp  16  has a width that is narrower than the width of the chute  12  so that a gap is formed between the sides of the ramp and the wall of the chute  12 . In use, as perhaps best shown in  FIG. 3 , as the fluid contents of the egg are fed downward along the chute  12 , the ramp  16  gradually elevates the yolk above the egg white and the egg white slides over the sides of the ramp, effectively separating the egg white from the yolk without breaking the yolk. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the device  2  may include a trigger mechanism  24  to selectively open and close a release hole  22 . Sometimes the release hole  22  is referred to as a trap door  22 . The trigger mechanism  24  can permit a user to perform all the functions with one hand, including the release of the egg yolk after separation is performed. The trigger mechanism  24  includes a spring  25  is coupled the trap door  22 . The trigger  24  can be pulled, which, in turn, causes the trap door  22  to open. Release of the trigger  24  allows the trap door to snap closed. In one example, the trigger  24  may be coupled to a slide plate  14 . The slide plate  14  includes tabs  19  that extend into a ride along a guide track  17  formed in the chute. The slide plate  14  thus slides along the guide track  19  when moved. The slide plate  14  covers a release hole (not numbered) defined in the chute  12 . The release hole is positioned rearward of the egg separation assembly. The slide plate  14  may be retracted by actuation of the trigger  24 , which may release the yolk through the release hole. Furthermore, the retraction of the slide plate  14  may cause the ramp  16  to elevate above the chute  12 . This in turn ejects the separated yolk down through trap door  22  after the egg white has filtered through as will be described further below. 
     Turning to  FIGS. 6-10 , an egg separation assembly  42  removably attached to the enclosed section  50  of the chute  12 . The egg separation assembly  42  may include an outer body and an inner curved panel that defines a concave center  48  and at least two vents. In one example, the egg separation assembly has at least two separate pairs of vents  44 ,  46 . The two separate pairs of vents may be referred to as first pair of vents  44  and a second pair of vents  46 . The concave center  48  is configured to seat the egg yolk when it reaches the end of the ramp  16 . The yolk may be retained within the concave center  48 . The first and second pairs of vents  44 ,  46  are designed to separate the yolk from the albumen without allowing the yolk to slip through should yolk fall from the ramp  16 . As illustrated, the first pair of vents  44  may be smaller than the second pair of vents  46 . For instance, the first pair vents  44  are sized for smaller eggs. Conversely, the second pair of vents  46  are sized for larger eggs, e.g. jumbo eggs. The egg separation assembly, though coupled to the chute  12 , is rotatable relative to the chute  12  so that a user can direct which particular vents (smaller vs. larger vents) are positioned in the lower position. In this manner, the appropriate pair of vents  44 ,  46  can be rotated to the lower position to accommodate different egg types. More viscous egg whites command larger vents. It should be appreciated that egg white viscosity depends on the type of egg as well, e.g. store bought vs. farm fresh. Furthermore, the age of egg affects viscosity; fresher eggs can have more a more viscous albumen compare with an older or less fresh egg. Thus, the egg separation assembly creates added flexibility to separate a wide variety of egg types. Even so, the user could still hold the device vertically 90 degrees or even shake the device to separate very tenacious albumen. 
     Referring back to  FIGS. 2-3 , the device  2  may include a removable nozzle  52 . The removable nozzle  52  may be used to slow exit of the egg or egg white from the device  2 . This functionality may be important if the user plans to cook more than one egg. The nozzle will allow the use to better direct where you want the egg to end up in the pan. The nozzle  52  can also include a removable cap to close off the end of the nozzle. The cap allows the use to transport the device to another location, for example, such as to a camp fire if you are out camping, etc. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2, 3 and 11 , another embodiment of the device is illustrated with one or more attachment devices to secure the chute assembly  10  in place. More specifically, the support base  30  may include an attachment device  31  positioned on support base  30  inside between the arms  34   a ,  34   b . The attachment device  31  may be magnet, tab, projection, or another feature. The chute assembly  10  may include another attachment device  26  configured to attach to the attachment device  31  on the support base  30 . The attachment devices  26  and  31  may be opposing magnets, mechanical couplers, or any other mechanism that will removably couple the chute assembly  10  to the support base  30 . For instance, in one example, opposing magnets or metal inserts may be spaced radially along the open section  49  of chute  12  to releasably attach the chute assembly  10  to support base  30 . This way, the device  2  may be securely seated and fixed in the proper position for usage with the nozzle  52  directed into a pot or pan. 
     The base, chute and arms may be formed from any polymeric material. In one example, the base, chute and arms may be formed from polyvinyl chloride (PVC). However, any suitable thermoplastic or thermoset polymer or copolymer may be used. 
     It should now be apparent that a key feature of the above-described device helps the user to break and open a single egg. It can then separate an egg yolk from its egg white while keeping it intact. The entire operation can reasonably be completed with one hand, in seconds, with no mess or fuss. 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure include a device for breaking and optionally separating the egg yolk from the egg white. An aspect of the device is to provide an egg breaking and separating device as described above that operates with minimal effort but has reliable and consistent operation. Another aspect of the present disclosure is a device that gently extricates the yolk from the albumen and isolates the yolk while the albumin is drained. In this regard, the yolk is ejected into a receptacle via gravity. In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the device may be used in either a consumer and or commercial setting, for example to process a large number of eggs in a reasonable short period of time. 
     The foregoing among other objectives and other objects are accomplished with a device for breaking and opening an egg, gravity-separation of the yolk from the albumen, and pouring the egg white into a fry pan and/or pot or dish. The hand-operated device generally comprises a pistol-grip base magnetically attached to a separation chute. The base supports an adjustable breaker bar upon which an individual can manually crack an egg. The platform at the end of the chute catches the egg and then passes it down the chute. As the egg travels down the chute either 1) the whole egg yolk and white can pass through the device and slide right out into the desired receptacle, or 2) the whole egg passes through an egg separation assembly where the yolk and egg white are separated from one another while integrity of the yolk is maintained. In this case, the egg white alone continues on through the chute enclosure and drops into the receptacle, while the yolk is retained by the egg separation assembly. The yolk can be ejected from the device into another receptacle through a trap door that is opened by a trigger. Operation of the device can reasonably be accomplished with one hand, in seconds, with no mess or fuss. In some aspects, magnets hold the chute to the support base and can also hold the support base to the edge of the stove top, or to an optional stand or holster. 
     Having now fully set forth the preferred embodiments and certain modifications of the concept underlying the present invention, various other embodiments as well as certain variations and modifications of the embodiments herein shown and described will obviously occur to those skilled in the art upon becoming familiar with the underlying concept. It is to be understood, therefore, that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically set forth in the appended claims.