Patent Publication Number: US-4647461-A

Title: Method for making a relief on an eggshell

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Relief, an artistic and decorative work, is usually done on wood or concrete or those materials which are either hard or thick. As for an eggshell, since it is very thin and fragile, a relief can not be formed on it by using any kind of knives. But, if possible, it may acquire commercial value and make people interested. In order to attain the aim, the inventor has tried hard and finally worked out this invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The process of the invention is described as follows. First, cut out a desired design or strip with a paper and adhere it on the surface of an egg. Then immerse the egg in an acetic acid solution containing 20% of CH 3  COOH and 80% of H 2  O for 90 minutes; a shorter immersion than 90 minutes is unable to obtain a clear relief but a longer one than 90 minutes may break the eggshell. 
     The equation of the reaction is stated as follows. 
     
         2CH.sub.3 COOH+CaCO.sub.3 →Ca(CH.sub.3 COO).sub.2 +CO.sub.2 +H.sub.2 O 
    
     Next, take off the paper adhered on the eggshell and a relief of the same form of the paper appears on it because the part of the eggshell that was adhered with the paper did not react with the acetic acid. 
     Finally, sting on each end of the egg a little hole and suck the yolk and protein out of the shell by means of a syringe; then sterilize the inside with alcohol and let it dry and keep it dry. 
     Of course, a finished eggshell can be painted with colors to become more beautiful. 
     Conclusively, this invention, a method for making a relief on an egg, really provides a special method to obtain a variety of relief of artistic and decorative value on a thin and fragile eggshell without using a knife.