Patent ID: 7083208

Claim:
An egg lifting apparatus, comprising: a vacuum housing, comprising: opposite first and second ends, and an intermediate portion between the first and second ends; a first passageway extending through the vacuum housing between an inlet in the vacuum housing first end and an outlet in the intermediate portion; a second passageway extending through the vacuum housing between an inlet in the vacuum housing second end and an outlet in communication with the first passageway; a venturi assembly disposed within the first passageway outlet and in communication with the first passageway, wherein the venturi assembly comprises a throat section that is in communication with the second passageway, and wherein subatmospheric pressure is produced in the venturi throat section and second passageway upon the flow of air through the vacuum housing first passageway; a flexible cup secured to the vacuum housing second end and having an interior in communication with the second passageway, wherein the flexible cup is configured to engage and retain an egg in seated relation therewith when subatmospheric pressure is provided within the flexible cup interior via the second passageway; a plunger housing having opposite first and second ends and an axially-extending internal bore that terminates at respective first and second openings in the plunger housing first and second ends; and an elongated plunger having opposite first and second ends and an axially-extending internal bore that terminates at respective first and second ports in the plunger first and second ends, wherein the plunger first end is slidably secured within the plunger housing internal bore and the plunger second end extends from the plunger housing second opening and is secured to the vacuum housing first end such tat the plunger axial bore is in communication with the vacuum housing first passageway and with the plunger housing first opening, wherein the plunger is configured for reciprocal movement between an extended and refracted position relative to the plunger housing, and wherein the plunger is moved to an extended position upon the flow of air into the plunger housing internal bore via the plunger housing first opening.