fig1 a - 1 c depict an embodiment of an egg separator cooker , generally referred to by the reference numeral 10 . the separator cooker 10 is formed from a heat resistant material , such as microwaveable plastic . the separator cooker includes a bowl 12 , defined by a cylindrical wall 14 extending perpendicularly from a bottom 16 . a brim 18 is formed at the distal end of the wall , and a radially extending lip 20 is formed on the exterior of the wall 14 below the brim . a flexible lid 22 is provided for removably engaging the bowl 12 . the lid has a top 24 for reasons to be described . an edge 26 extends generally perpendicularly from the top in a first direction , the edge terminating in a rim 30 . a plurality of vents 32 are disposed in the top 24 . a separator , generally referred to by the reference numeral 34 , is formed in the center of the top 24 . as best seen in fig1 b , the separator 34 comprises a half round extrusion 36 extending in a direction opposite the first direction , and having two slots 38 for reasons described below . in operation , the lid 22 is placed upside down over the bowl 12 ( fig1 a ), and an egg ( not shown ) is cracked by the consumer against the bowl , so that the egg &# 39 ; s contents are deposited into the underside of the lid . as shown in fig1 a , the egg yolk , represented by reference numeral 40 , is deposited into , or guided to , the separator 34 . the slots 38 are of a sufficient size to allow the egg white , represented by reference numeral 42 , to pass through the slots , but small enough to retain the yolk 40 . after the egg white 42 has been separated into the bowl 12 , the yolk 40 is discarded , and the steps repeated with additional eggs . alternatively , at least one yolk could be retained for flavor , and other ingredients such as chopped ham and onions , or salsa , could be added to create a low fat omelet . next , the lid 22 is flipped right side up by the consumer as shown in fig1 b . the lid 22 is then placed over the bowl 12 and lowered into position . to close the lid , as shown in fig1 c , the edge 26 is placed over the brim 18 of the bowl and a force is exerted in a direction represented by arrow b to create a snug fit . the separator cooker is then placed in a microwave oven ( not shown ), or some other heat generating device , and the egg whites are cooked . during the cooking process , the vents 32 allow steam to escape and prevent a buildup of pressure and a consequent explosion . after the egg whites are cooked , the lid 22 is removed by exerting force in a direction represented by arrow a on its rim 30 , while simultaneously exerting force in a direction represented by arrow b on the lip 20 of the bowl 12 . one advantage of the embodiments described herein is that the egg whites are separated before they are cooked , making separation easier . the lid acts to trap heat and also retain the separator . thus , the separator cooker is a two - piece unit , counting the bowl , which is convenient for consumers and easier to manufacture . another advantage is that the egg whites are cooked without fat , unless desired . fig2 depicts another embodiment of an egg separator cooker , generally referred to by the reference numeral 50 . the separator cooker 50 is larger than the previous embodiment , and is also formed from a heat resistant material , such as microwaveable plastic . the separator cooker 50 includes a bowl 52 , defined by a cylindrical wall 54 extending perpendicularly from a bottom 56 . the bottom 56 is divided into two equally sized portions , 56 a and 56 b , by a wall 57 . a brim 58 is formed at the distal end of the wall 54 , and a radially extending lip 60 is formed on the wall exterior below the brim . a flexible lid 62 is provided for removably engaging the bowl 52 . the lid 62 has a top 64 , with an edge 66 extending perpendicularly in a first direction from the top 64 . the edge 66 terminates in a rim 70 . a plurality of vents 72 are disposed in the top 64 for reasons to be described . a pair of separators , 74 and 74 ′, are formed in the top 64 extending in a direction opposite the aforesaid first direction . the separators 74 and 74 ′ are identical , and thus only separator 74 is examined in detail . the separator 74 comprises a half round extrusion 76 having two slots 78 . in operation , a consumer places the lid 62 upside down over the bowl 52 , and an egg ( not shown ) is cracked into the underside of the lid . this embodiment can accommodate two yolks at once , as there are two separators 74 and 74 ′, and is suitable for use by two consumers at the same time . the slots 78 are of a sufficient size to allow the egg white to pass through , but small enough to retain the yolk . after the desired number of egg whites ( not shown ) have been separated into the bowl , each separator having a corresponding portion of the divided bowl , the lid 62 is flipped right side up and lowered into position . to close the lid , the edge 66 is placed over the brim 58 of the bowl and downward force is exerted in a direction represented by arrow d to create a snug fit . the separator cooker is then placed in a microwave oven ( not shown ) to cook the egg whites , which may have been previously seasoned to taste as described above . after the egg whites are cooked , the lid 62 is removed by exerting force in a direction represented by arrow c on its rim 70 , while simultaneously exerting force in a direction represented by arrow d on the lip 60 of the bowl 52 . one advantage of this embodiment is that egg whites can be cooked for two consumers at once . the wall 57 prevents mixing of the egg white in portions 56 a and 56 b , and thus allows the egg whites in the portions to be seasoned differently . fig3 depicts yet another embodiment of an egg separator cooker , generally referred to by the reference numeral 80 . the separator cooker 80 is also formed from microwaveable plastic . the separator cooker includes a bowl 82 , defined by a cylindrical wall 84 extending perpendicularly from a bottom 86 . a radially extending lip 90 is formed on the wall exterior . a flexible lid 92 is provided for removably engaging the bowl 82 . the lid 92 has a top 94 for reasons to be described . an edge 96 extends perpendicularly from the top 94 in a first direction , the edge terminating in a rim 100 . a plurality of vents 102 are disposed in the top 94 . a separator , generally referred to by the reference numeral 104 , is formed in the top 94 . the separator 104 comprises a half round extrusion 106 extending in a direction opposite the first direction and two slots 108 . in operation , a consumer places the lid 92 upside down over the bowl 82 , and an egg ( not shown ) is cracked into the underside of the lid . the slots 108 are of a sufficient size to allow the egg white to pass through , but small enough to retain the yolk . after the egg white has been separated into the bowl 82 , the yolk is discarded , and the lid 92 is flipped right side up and lowered into position . to close the lid , the edge 96 is placed over a distal end of the wall 84 of the bowl and force is exerted in a direction indicated by arrow f to create a snug fit . the separator cooker is then placed in a microwave oven ( not shown ) to cook the egg whites , which may have been previously seasoned to taste . after the egg whites are cooked , the lid 92 is removed by exerting force in a direction represented by arrow e on its rim 100 , while simultaneously exerting force in a direction represented by arrow f on the lip 90 of the bowl 82 . one advantage of this embodiment is that it is small and compact , and allows a relatively small amount of egg whites to be prepared while maintaining an optimal thickness of the cooked egg whites because of the smaller diameter of the bowl . the cooked egg whites then could be paired with an english muffin , for example , forming a low fat snack . this disclosure shows and describes illustrative embodiments , however , the disclosure contemplates a wide range of modifications , changes , and substitutions . for example , the wall forms a cylinder as depicted , but other shapes may be used ; the bottom may be flat , as depicted , or ridged ; and the separator slots are depicted as crescent shaped , but may also be square , round , or another shape consistent with their purpose . such variations may employ only some features of the embodiments without departing from the scope of the underlying invention . for example , the separator slots may vent sufficiently to obviate the need for the vents in some embodiments , or the vents themselves may be modified into any number of shapes . accordingly , any appropriate construction of the appended claims will reflect the broad scope of the underlying invention .
method and apparatus are described for separating and cooking egg whites . a heat resistant bowl includes a bottom portion and a wall portion , a lid for removably engaging the wall portion of the bowl in a snug fit , and a separator for separating liquid egg whites from eggs , the separator being connected to the lid , whereupon the egg whites are cooked in the bowl by subjecting the bowl to microwaves .