CA2256138A1 - Device for collecting sap - Google Patents

Device for collecting sap Download PDF

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Publication number
CA2256138A1
CA2256138A1 CA 2256138 CA2256138A CA2256138A1 CA 2256138 A1 CA2256138 A1 CA 2256138A1 CA 2256138 CA2256138 CA 2256138 CA 2256138 A CA2256138 A CA 2256138A CA 2256138 A1 CA2256138 A1 CA 2256138A1
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
tree
hollow body
hole
sap
conical
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
CA 2256138
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Pierre Paquette
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from CA 2224908 external-priority patent/CA2224908A1/en
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to CA 2256138 priority Critical patent/CA2256138A1/en
Publication of CA2256138A1 publication Critical patent/CA2256138A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01GHORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING
    • A01G23/00Forestry
    • A01G23/10Tapping of tree-juices, e.g. caoutchouc, gum
    • A01G23/14Tapping-spouts; Receptacles for juices

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  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
  • Ecology (AREA)
  • Forests & Forestry (AREA)
  • Environmental Sciences (AREA)
  • Component Parts Of Construction Machinery (AREA)

Abstract

A device for collecting sap from maple trees and directing the sap to a sap-collecting system operable typically under vacuum conditions comprises a hollow body and an extension respectively for engaging a bore defined in a tree and for connection to the sap-collecting system. The hollow body is equipped proximally with a conical section and at a free distal end thereof with a protuberance penetrating the outer layers of the tree which acts as a guide for adequate insertion of the device in the tree and also neutralizes the hydraulic forces existing, in season, during the frost-thaw cycle thereby preventing these forces from causing an outward movement of the device at least partly out of the tree and thus maintaining an adequate sealing between the device and the tree. The free end defines an opening which communicates with the inside of the hollow body. When the device is installed in the tree, the conical section sealingly engages the tree at its bark or adjacent thereto such that there a space defined diametrically between the hollow body and the tree's outer layers and longitudinally between the protuberance and the sealing area of the hollow body with the tree. Grooves are axially defined along the protuberance such that sap collected in the space may convey through the grooves and into the free end's opening and then through the hollow body and into the sap-collecting system.

Description

CA 022~6138 1998-12-1~

DEVICE FOR COLLECTING SAP

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device for collecting the sap from maple trees and others.
2. Description of the Prior Art The devices presently used to collect tree sap comprise a frusto-conical section which, when inserted into a hole pierced in the tree with the proper hitting tool, should provide hermetic sealing.
For adequate results, the device must be inserted coaxially with the hole, which turns out to be difficult with the device being often inserted at an angle to the hole's longitudinal axis.
Furthermore, the collecting of the sap taking place in the spring season, i.e. during frost-thaw cycles, it has been noticed that, since the sap freezes from outside in, the sap collecting system freezes prior to the sap in the tree itself such that the sap accumulated in the hole (which freezes last) exerts, by freezing, a pressure on the device (as the sap in the hole cannot, as it expands during freezing, escapes through the device as it is, along with the sap collecting system, already frozen) which dislodges slightly the device from its initial position and permit air to enter the tree.
To compensate for this phenomenon, the installers drive in the device deeper in the tree, which contributes to reducing the quantity of sap collected from the tree and which can also provoke splitting of the bark.
I have discovered that these two drawbacks can be eliminated by using a new device equipped with an extension which penetrates inside the hole and which includes a protuberance which fulfills two CA 022~6138 1998-12-1~

functions: first, to serve as a guide to obtain an adequate angle when the device is inserted in the tree; and second, to fill the cavity of the hole and, by its shape, neutralize the hydraulic forces in effect during a frost-thaw cycle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide a novel device insertable in a tree for collecting sap therefrom.
It is also an aim of the present invention to provide a device for collecting sap which, includes a hollow body insertable in a bore defined in the tree and provided with a protuberance which, for one, acts as a guide when the device is inserted in the bore.
Therefore, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a device for collecting sap from trees, comprising a hollow body for at least partial insertion in a hole defined in a tree, a hollow extension member in fluid communication with said hollow body and adapted for connection outside of the tree with a sap conveying means, said hollow body comprising a free end in fluid communication with said hollow body, a substantially conical section tapering towards said free end and an enlarged section distally of said conical section, said conical section being adapted when said hollow body is driven in the hole to sealingly engage the tree at the hole, said enlarged section being slightly smaller than the hole so as to be closely slidable therein.
Also in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a device for collecting sap from trees, comprising a hollow body for at least partial insertion in a hole defined in a tree, a hollow extension member in fluid communication with CA 022~6138 1998-12-1~

said hollow body and adapted for connection outside of the tree with a sap conveying means, said hollow body comprising a free end in fluid communication with said hollow body, a substantially conical section tapering towards said free end and an enlarged section distally of said conical section, said conical section being adapted when said hollow body is driven in the hole to sealingly engage the tree at the hole, a space being defined in the hole of the tree, exteriorly of said conical section and longitudinally substantially between said enlarged section and a sealing area of said conical section with the tree, said enlarged~ section defining at least one groove means to allow sap collected in the space to flow distally past said enlarged section such as to then enter into said hollow body through said free end.

Other objects and statements of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. It should be understood, however, that this detailed description, while indicating a preferred embodiment of the invention, is given by way of illustration only.
Furthermore, some changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS~ig. 1 is a perspective view of a device for collecting sap in accordance with the present invention;~ig. 2 is a side elevational view of the sap collecting device of Fig. 1 engaged in a bore defined in the outer layers of a tree which is shown in cross section;

CA 022~6138 1998-12-1~

~ig. 3 is a schematic end elevational view of the open distal end of the sap collecting device of Figs. 1 and 2;~ig. 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a sap collecting device in accordance with the present invention;~ig. 5 is a side elevational view of the sap collecting device of Fig. 4 engaged in a bore defined in the outer layers of a tree which is shown in cross section;~ig. 6 is a schematic end elevational view of the open distal end of the sap collecting device of Figs. 4 and 5;~ig. 7 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a sap collecting device in accordance with the present invention;~ig. 8 is a side elevational view of the sap collecting device of Fig. 7 engaged in a bore defined in the outer layers of a tree which is shown in cross section;~ig. 9 is a schematic end elevational view of the open distal end of the sap collecting device of Figs. 7 and 8;~ig. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line 10-10 of Fig. 7;~ig. 11 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a sap collecting device in accordance with the present invention;~ig. 12 is a schematic end elevational view of the open distal end of the sap collecting device of Fig. 11; and~ig. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line 13-13 of Fig. 11.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Fig. 1 shows a sap-collecting device 10 that includes a hollow body 12 for insertion in a . .

CA 022~6138 1998-12-1~

tree 50 (see Fig. 2) and a tube connecting extension 14 used to connect the device 10 to a flexible tube of a sap collection system or network. The hollow body 12 of the device 10 comprises an open end 16 and a closed end 18. The end part of the closed end 18 is cylindrical and solid, and is thus adapted to absorb the shocks when the device 10 is forced into the tree with the appropriate tool. Behind the cylindrical and solid part 18 there is provided a bulge 20, of square form, which the principal function is to facilitate the extraction of the sap-collecting device 10.
A section 22 of the hollow body 12 is of conical form and its function is to seal the device 10 inside a hole 56 defined in the tree 50 (see Fig.
2) at the tree's bark 52 or adjacent thereto.
Adjacent to the open end 16 of the body 12 and at the end of the conical section 22, there is a parallel or cylindrical section 24 of the hollow body 12 which ends in a protuberance or an enlarged cylindrical end section 26 having a diameter slightly inferior to the hole 56 and superior to the parallel section 24. The cylindrical section 26 is provided with longitudinal grooves 28 which allow for the sap to circulate from a space 29 defined exteriorly of the conical section 22 (and longitudinally between the end section 26 and a sealing area 31 of the hollow body 12 with the bark 52) to chamber 32 provided in the hole 56, distally of the end section 26, and then through the open end 16 of the hollow body 12, though the hollow body 12 itself and the extension 14 and finally into the spa collecting system (not shown).
Fig. 2 represents the sap-collecting device 10 installed into the tree 50. The conical section 22 is compressed against the bark 52 (or the tree's outwardmost layers) to hermetically seal the sap-collecting device 10 thereto. The vessels 54 of the .

CA 022~6l38 l998- l2- l~

tree 50 produce the sap which circulates around the cylindrical section 24 and inwardly through the longitudinal grooves 28 of the cylindrical end section 26 before reaching the interior of the hollow body 12 through the open end 16 and to flow out towards the piping system outwardly through the extension 14.
The cylindrical sections 24 and 26 being inserted into the hole 56 reduce the volume of sap present in the hole 56 when the sap freezes. The cylindrical section 26, having a diameter larger than the parallel extension 24, acts as an anchor when the sap freezes and therefore, prevents the backward movement of the sap-col]ecting device 10 out of the tree 50. The enlarged cylindrical end section 26 also serves as a guide during insertion of the hollow body 12 in the hole 56 such as to maintain the hollow body 12 substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the hole 56.
Fig. 3 illustrates the open end tip 16 of the hollow body 12.
Figs. 4 and 5 represent a sap-collecting device 10' similar to the device 10 of Figs. 1 to 3.
However, in this second embodiment, the cylindrical section 26 and the parallel extension 24 of Figs. 1 and 2 are replaced by a conical section 30 which extends with a taper from the open end tip 16 to its merging point with the conical section 22 of the hollow body 12 ' . The device 10' functions as device 10 of Figs. 1 to 3, including grooves 28 ' which allow for the sap to travel from around the conical section 30 towards the bottom of the hole 56 and then into the hollow body 12 ' through the open end 16.
Fig. 6 iS an end view of the open end tip 16 of the hollow body 12.
Figs. 7 to 10 represent a sap-collecting device 10" similar to the device 10' of Figs. 4 to 6.

CA 022~6138 1998-12-1~

However, in this third embodiment, elongated axial reinforcing ribs are 40 defined on the periphery of the conical section 30". Six (6) of these ribs 40 are provided between the six (6) grooves 28" and are molded on the hollow body 12" to increase the resistance of the device 10" to breakage. Fig. 10 shows the cross-section of the hollow body 12" where the conical sections 22 and 30" meet.
Similarly, Figs. 11 to 13 illustrate a fourth sap-collecting device 10''' where the hollow body 12''' is provided with three (3) grooves 28''' and three (3) reinforcing ribs 40'''.
The sap-collecting device may be constructed with 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 reinforcing ribs 40.
The sap-collecting device may be made of plastics material(s), fibers or metallic alloys.
The sap-collecting device may be constructed with various transverse dimensions such as to accommodate various diameters of holes 56 pierced in the trees.
The outside diameter of the open end 16, including its reinforcing ribs 40 if any, will correspond typically approximately to 95~ of the size of the hole 56 bored in the tree 50.
The distance between the open end 16 and the sealing area 31 will preferably be approximately of 1 1/4", and this independently of the diameter of the hole 56.

Claims (20)

1. A device for collecting sap from trees, comprising a hollow body for at least partial insertion in a hole defined in a tree, a hollow extension member in fluid communication with said hollow body and adapted for connection outside of the tree with a sap conveying means, said hollow body comprising a free end in fluid communication with said hollow body, a substantially conical section tapering towards said free end and an enlarged section distally of said conical section, said conical section being adapted when said hollow body is driven in the hole to sealingly engage the tree at the hole, said enlarged section being slightly smaller than the hole so as to be closely slidable therein.
2. A device as defined in Claim 1, wherein a peripheral surface of said enlarged section defines at least one groove means to allow sap collected in the hole and exteriorly of said conical section to flow distally past said enlarged section such as to then enter into said hollow body through said free end.
3. A device as defined in Claim 2, wherein said hollow body is angled with respect to said extension member and is provided at an outer end thereof opposite said free end with a solid element adapted to absorb blows when said hollow body is driven in the tree.
4. A device as defined in Claim 3, wherein said outer end is further provided with a transversal enlarged element for facilitating the removal of said device from the tree.
5. A device as defined in Claim 2, wherein there is provided a substantial cylindrical extension between said enlarged section and said conical section, said enlarged section comprising a short substantially cylindrical element having an outside diameter slightly smaller than that of the hole and slightly larger than that of said cylindrical extension, said cylindrical element defining said at least one groove means and being adapted to guide said hollow body when inserted in the hole of the tree for retaining said hollow body substantially coaxial with the hole.
6. A device as defined in Claim 5, said cylindrical element is provided with a series of said groove means which extend axially and in spaced apart relationship along a periphery of said cylindrical element.
7. A device as defined in Claim 2, wherein said enlarged section comprises a conical element which flares from said conical section towards said free end, said conical element defining said at least one groove means and being adapted to guide said hollow body when inserted in the hole of the tree for retaining said hollow body substantially coaxial with the hole.
8. A device as defined in Claim 7, wherein said conical element is provided with a series of said groove means which extend axially and in spaced apart relationship along a periphery of said conical element.
9. A device as defined in Claim 5, wherein said cylindrical element and said cylindrical extension when engaged in the hole and through outer layers of the tree serve to neutralize hydraulic forces.
10. A device as defined in Claim 7, wherein said conical section and said conical element serve to neutralize the hydraulic forces.
11. A device as defined in Claim 2, wherein a space is defined in the hole of the tree, exteriorly of said conical section and longitudinally between said enlarged section and a sealing area of said conical section with the tree, said groove means being defined on a periphery of said enlarged section with said open end comprising an opening defined on a distal end of said enlarged section, wherein sap located in the space may convey through said groove means and into said opening.
12. A device as defined in Claim 2, wherein said enlarged section comprise reinforcing ribs.
13. A device as defined in Claim 12, wherein said reinforcing ribs are defined axially along at least part of a periphery of said enlarged section.
14. A device as defined in Claim 2, wherein transverse dimensions of said enlarged section correspond approximately to 95% of the diameter of the hole in the tree.
15. A device for collecting sap from trees, comprising a hollow body for at least partial insertion in a hole defined in a tree, a hollow extension member in fluid communication with said hollow body and adapted for connection outside of the tree with a sap conveying means, said hollow body comprising a free end in fluid communication with said hollow body, a substantially conical section tapering towards said free end and an enlarged section distally of said conical section, said conical section being adapted when said hollow body is driven in the hole to sealingly engage the tree at the hole, a space being defined in the hole of the tree, exteriorly of said conical section and longitudinally substantially between said enlarged section and a sealing area of said conical section with the tree, said enlarged section defining at least one groove means to allow sap collected in the space to flow distally past said enlarged section such as to then enter into said hollow body through said free end.
16. A device as defined in Claim 15, wherein said enlarged section comprises a conical element which flares from said conical section towards said free end, said conical element defining on a periphery thereof said at least one groove means
17. A device as defined in Claim 16, wherein said conical element is adapted to guide said hollow body when inserted in the hole of the tree for retaining said hollow body substantially coaxial with the hole.
18. A device as defined in Claim 16, wherein said conical element is provided with a series of said groove means which extend axially and in spaced apart relationship along the periphery of said conical element.
19. A device as defined in Claim 16, wherein said enlarged section comprise reinforcing ribs defined axially along at least part of a periphery of said conical element.
20. A device as defined in Claim 15, wherein transverse dimensions of said enlarged section correspond approximately to 95% of the diameter of the hole in the tree.
CA 2256138 1997-12-16 1998-12-15 Device for collecting sap Abandoned CA2256138A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA 2256138 CA2256138A1 (en) 1997-12-16 1998-12-15 Device for collecting sap

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA 2224908 CA2224908A1 (en) 1997-12-16 1997-12-16 Device for collecting sap
CA2,224,908 1997-12-16
CA 2256138 CA2256138A1 (en) 1997-12-16 1998-12-15 Device for collecting sap

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2256138A1 true CA2256138A1 (en) 1999-06-16

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA 2256138 Abandoned CA2256138A1 (en) 1997-12-16 1998-12-15 Device for collecting sap

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8677682B2 (en) 2012-01-06 2014-03-25 Le Groupe Dsd Inc. Thin wall sap collecting device

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8677682B2 (en) 2012-01-06 2014-03-25 Le Groupe Dsd Inc. Thin wall sap collecting device

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