Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02762993 2014-12-12
THIN-WALL SAP-COLLECTING DEVICE
Technical Field
The present invention relates to a sap-collecting device. More particularly,
the present invention relates to a thin-walled sap-collecting device for
collecting
sap from a tree, and components related thereto.
Background
Known in the art are various techniques and devices for collecting sap from
a tree, for example from a maple tree. Over the years, the practice of
collecting
sap from trees has been refined and improved through the use of new devices
and
fixtures, and at least since the 1960s, by using vacuum recovery systems.
Canadian patent No. 2,233,739 discloses a vacuum recovery system
including a tubular network connected to the sap-collecting devices affixed to
the
various trees so as to direct the sap that is collected towards reservoirs.
The
tubular network is connected to a pump creating vacuum conditions so as to
provide a quick flow of sap from the tree to the reservoirs.
Sap collection devices, an example of which is schematically shown in
Figure 1, have changed relatively little over the years, and still present
some
disadvantages.
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Conventional devices are hard and are inserted into the tree by a hammer
pounding on one end, which is similar to a tapered punch. This can cause
damage
to the tree.
Furthermore, conventional devices often create small vertical cracks on
either side of the tapped holes when they are inserted into the tree. These
cracks
accumulate water, and after various freeze/thaw cycles, especially during
sustained cold weather conditions, the cracks tend to become larger, which
results
in the device becoming loose in the tapped hole and falling out. The cracks
can
also cause water to accumulate between the bark of the tree and the cambium so
that when water freezes, the bark of the tree tend to lift, thereby causing
further
damage to the tree. After becoming loose, the device must be reinserted into
the
tapped hole by a hammer, which can cause further cracking, thereby
perpetuating
the cycle of cracking/reinsertion. After a certain number of these cycles, the
tree is
exposed to the elements and the liquid contained therein "dries up" or
freezes.
Furthermore, air is introduced between the collecting device and the tapped
hole,
which reduces the effectiveness of the closed vacuum system and thus the
amount
of sap that can be collected.
Cracks are known to reach a size of up to 10 square inches on both sides
of a tapped hole, as shown schematically in Figure 2. These cracks and the
areas
over which they propagate can cause significant damage to the tree being
tapped,
especially when multiple holes are made in the same tree. A further
disadvantage
caused by the cracking/reinsertion cycle is the need of additional labour to
reinsert
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the sap-collecting devices repeatedly, often during cold weather conditions.
Over
time, there is a decrease in the tree's productivity (i.e. less sap collected
for a given
number of tapped holes).
Hence, there was clearly a need for an improved device to overcome or at
least minimize some of the aforementioned problems.
Summary
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a device for
collecting sap from a tapped hole of a tree and directing the sap to a
collection
system that is removably connectable to the device, the device including an
elongated collector extending lengthwise between an inlet and an outlet of the
device, the collector having a substantially frustoconical outer peripheral
wall
surface and an inner peripheral wall surface, both peripheral wall surfaces
being
spaced apart from one another by a thickness of a material, the thickness of
the
material decreasing between the outlet and the inlet of the device, the inner
peripheral wall surface defining a sap channel for conveying the sap collected
at
the inlet to the outlet of the device, the collector having a portion that is
removably
,
insertable into the tapped hole with a frictional engagement, the material
between
the peripheral wall surfaces at the removably-insertable collector portion
being
elastically and temporality deformable in response to a peripheral pressure
exerted
inwardly on the outer peripheral wall surface when the removably-insertable
collector portion is inserted with a forced frictional fit into the tapped
hole, the
thickness of the material being about 1/32 inch or less at the inlet of the
device.
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Such a device can be particularly useful for collecting relatively large
volumes of liquid (i.e. sap from a tree) without causing significant damage to
the
tree, and which can be easily used by amateur and professional sap collectors
alike. This is due namely to the substantially frustoconical inner and outer
peripheral wall surfaces of each collector section which enables the device to
be
"thin-walled" or have relatively small thicknesses when compared to
conventional
sap-collecting devices. The frustoconical inner and outer peripheral wall
surfaces
also allow the device to have collector sections which have different inside
and/or
outside angles and radius, thus permitting the thickness and the shape of the
device to vary along its length. This advantageously allows the device to
respond
to a pressure exerted peripherally by the tree when the device is inserted
into the
tapped hole, thus providing for a relatively air and water-tight fit with the
tree
irrespective of the insertion depth of the device into the tapped hole.
The device can include a plurality of collector sections, with different
angles
and shapes, each collector section being connected adjacently to one another,
these collector sections forming a uniform and seamless elongated collector.
Objects, advantages and other features of the present invention will become
more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description, given
for
the purpose of exemplification only, with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
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Brief description of the drawings
Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a conventional sap-collecting device
being shown inserted into a tapped hole of a tree.
Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of an extent of tree cracking caused by
certain conventional sap-collecting devices.
Figure 3 is a side elevational view of a sap collection device being inserted
into a tapped hole of a tree, according to the present invention.
Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the device shown in Figure 3.
Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the device of Figure 4 taken along line
V-V in Figure 4.
Figure 6 is side elevational view of another device according to the present
invention.
Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the device of Figure 6 taken along line
VII-VII in Figure 6.
Detailed description
Figure 3 is a side elevational view of a sap collection device being inserted
into a tapped hole of a tree, according to a preferred embodiment of the
present
invention. A "tapped hole" is understood in the art to be any man-made hole 92
made in the tree 90 and which allows the device 10 to be inserted into the
tree 90.
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For example, the tapped hole 92 can be created using an electric drill having
a drill
bit suitable for wood drilling and of the appropriate dimension. Once the
tapped
hole 92 is created, the device 10 can be therein inserted and connected to a
collection system, which may include a network of tubing and a central pump,
so
as to direct the sap collected from the tree 90 to a central sap-processing
plant or
reservoir, for example. Since the device 10 is preferably cylindrical and/or
circular,
it naturally conforms to the shape of the tapped hole 92, thus facilitating a
frictional
engagement.
Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the device 10 shown in Figure 3. It
comprises an inlet 12, an outlet 14, and an elongated collector 20.
The inlet 12 is located on the part of the device 10 that is forcibly inserted
into the tapped hole 92 of the tree 90, usually by a user employing a hammer,
for
example. The inlet 12 receives the sap that is produced by the tree 90. The
outlet
14 is preferably the part of the device 10 that is connected to a sap-
collecting
bucket and/or the collection system, so as to direct the sap to the sap-
processing
plant. This connection is removable, which allows the outlet 14 and/or the
device
10 to be removed from the collection system when necessary. The outlet 14 is
preferably diametrically opposite the inlet 12. Preferably, both the inlet 12
and the
outlet 14 are cylindrical and/or circular, and each defines a circular and/or
oval
aperture and/or opening when viewing the device from the front or the rear. As
shown in Figures 4 and 5, the inlet cross-sectional area 12a and the outlet
cross-
sectional area 14a are preferably different (i.e. the areas 12a, 14a being not
the
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same), which better defines and exemplifies the "sloped" or "inclined" nature
of the
collector sections, as further discussed below. Preferably, the outlet area
14a is
greater than the inlet area 12a, thereby allowing the sap to flow more easily
flow
the inlet 12 to the outlet 14.
Referring to Figure 6, the collector 20 extends between the inlet 12 and the
outlet 14, thus defining a length 40 of the collector 20.
The collector 20 is provided with at least one collector section 22 which
extends along at least a portion of the length 40. By "at least a portion", it
is
understood that the at least one collector section 22 could extend along the
entire
length 40 of the collector 20, but that it is not limited to only this
configuration. The
at least one collector section 22 could alternatively extend along only a
portion of
the length 40 of the collector 20, and the collector 20 could be provided with
a
plurality of collector sections 22, each collector section 22 being connected
to an
adjacent collector section 22 so as to form a unified and smooth collector 20,
as
exemplified in Figure 6.
Referring to Figures 6 and 7, each collector section 22 preferably includes
an outer peripheral wall surface 24, which is configured for frictionally
engaging
with at least a portion of the tapped hole 92 of the tree 90. By "configured",
it is
understood that the outer wall surface 24 can be in contact with the inner
surface
of the tapped hole 92. This contact is frictional in nature, and the friction
can be
generated from a number of different sources (i.e. the diameter of the outer
wall
surface 24 being slightly larger than the diameter of the tapped hole 92 thus
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creating a forced frictional fit, pressure exerted by the tree 90 via the
tapped hole
92 against the outer wall surface 24, etc.). By "engaging with at least a
portion of
the tapped hole 92", it is understood that the outer wall surface 24 of a
given
collector section 22 may not frictionally engage with the entire and/or a
portion of
the tapped hole 92, as this depends on the portion of the collector 20 that is
inserted into the tapped hole 92. Alternatively, many collector sections 22
may be
in frictional engagement with the entire and/or a portion of the tapped hole
92 at
the same time, again depending on the length of the tapped hole 92 and the
portion
of the collector 20 that is inserted into the tapped hole 92.
Each collector section 22 also preferably includes an inner peripheral wall
surface 26 which provides a sap channel 28 for conveying the sap from the
inlet
12 to the outlet 14. The sap channel 28 can also be referred to as a conduit,
throughway, pipeline, etc., and is preferably defined by the circular
periphery of the
inner wall surface 26. The inner wall surface 26 and outer wall surface 24,
and thus
at least one portion of the collector 20, are also substantially
frustoconical. The
term "frustoconical" is defined as having the shape of a frustum of a cone,
where
a frustum is defined as the portion of a cone or pyramid which remains after a
portion of the cone and/or pyramid has been cut off by at least one plane
parallel
to its base, or which is intercepted between two such planes. It follows that
the
inner wall surface 26 of each collector section 22 is preferably conical in
shape,
and is inclined from the end of each collector section 22 closest to the inlet
12 to
the end closest to the outlet 14, thereby allowing the thickness 30 of the
collector
20 to vary and reduce from the outlet 14 to the inlet 12 of the device. It is
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understood, especially when referring to the figures, that the word "inclined"
means
that the inner wall surface 26 increases or decreases in its cross-sectional
area,
but preferably increases. Of course, it is also understood that inner wall
surface 26
is not limited to a conical configuration or conical solids (i.e. cones,
pyramids,
prisms, spheres, tori, etc.), because the term frustoconical is understood in
the art
as meaning substantially the shape created by breaking (the meaning of the
Latin
"frusto") any single-sided and/or polygonal expansive and/or compressive
hollow
solid along at least one plane parallel to its base. As but one example, the
inner
wall could be formed from the broken sections of an expanding rectangular
hollow
solid. The outer wall surface 24 is also preferably substantially
frustoconical so that
the collector 20 is frustoconical, the term frustoconical meaning the same as
when
it is used to describe the inner wall surface 26.
The material present in the space between the inner wall surface 26 and
the outer wall surface 24 defines a thickness 30. The thickness 30 is
exemplified
in Figure 7 in cross-section, but it is understood that the thickness 30 is
peripheral
and contiguous with the inner and outer wall surfaces 26, 24. Explained
differently,
in the configuration where the device 10 is cylindrical, the thickness 30 is
preferably
a cylindrical solid body between the cylinder inner and outer wall surfaces
26, 24.
As exemplified in Figure 7, each collector section 22 can have a different
thickness
30, with the thickness 30 of one collector section 22 being greater than, less
than,
and/or equal to the thickness of an adjacent collector section 22. Varying the
thickness 30 along its length 40 advantageously permits the user of the device
10
to insert the device 10 into the corresponding tapped hole 92 so as to obtain
the
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appropriate frictional engagement of the device 10 with the tapped hole 92, as
further explained below. For similar reasons and so as to obtain similar
advantages, the length of each collector section 22 can be greater, equal to,
and/or
less than the length of an adjacent collector section 22.
The thickness 30 of the inlet collector section 22a, described in more detail
below, can also vary along the length of the inlet collector section 22a.
Preferably,
the inlet collector section 22a has an inlet end 22ai near the inlet 12, and a
collector
end 22a11 away from the inlet 12 and towards the outlet 14, the collector end
22aii
being attached to the nearest adjacent collector section 22. The thickness 30
at
the inlet end 22ai is preferably no more than about 1/32" inch. This thickness
30
can vary by about 5 thousandths of an inch.
The inner wall surface 26 and outer wall surface 24 of each collector section
22 are preferably provided with a frustoconical angle and radius. The inner
wall
surface 26 preferably has inner angles a, 8, 0, and A, examples of such inner
angles being shown in Figure 7. These inner angles are preferably
frustoconical,
which means that they are measured as the radian distance between two 180
opposed points on the inner wall surface 26 (or on the outer wall surface 24).
The
inner angle of each collector section 22 can be equal to and/or different from
the
inner angle of an adjacent collector section 22. It is also understood that
the inner
angle of a single collector section 22 can vary along its length.
For example, in Figure 7, the collector 20 comprises at least three collector
sections 22, namely an inlet collector section 22a near the inlet 12, at least
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middle collector section 22b between the inlet 12 and the outlet 14, and an
outlet
collector section 22c near the outlet 14. Preferably, the inlet collector
section 22a
has an inner angle a ranging between about 2 to 5 , the inner angle 6 of the
first
middle collector 22b section is between about 0.02 to 2 , the inner angle e
of the
second middle collector section 22b is between about 10 to 4 , and the inner
angle
A of the outlet collector section 22c is about 0.02 to 2 . It is understood
that these
inner angles can vary depending on numerous factors such as: the desired
thickness 30 of a given collector section 22, the angles of adjacent collector
sections 22, the necessity to increase or decrease the sap flow rate through
the
sap channel 28, etc. It is also understood that not all of these angles need
to be
"expanding" (i.e. defining a collector section 22 that expands from its inlet
side to
its outlet side), and can be "converging" (i.e. defining a collector section
22 that
converges from its inlet side to its outlet side).
The outer wall surface 24 is also preferably sloped and/or inclined according
to a frustoconical outer angle, which can vary between the collector sections
22
and also within the same collector section 22. For example, in Figure 7, the
outer
angle of the inlet collector section 22a can be about 4.60 , the outer angle
of the
first middle collector section 22b can be about 1.900, the outer angle of the
second
middle collector section 22b can be about 3.00 , and the outer angle of the
outlet
collector section 22c can be about 1.90 . Variants are possible.
In Figure 4, the device 10 includes at least two elongated collector sections.
The device 10 can include a first collector section 20a which connects to a
second
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collector section 20b so as to form a single unified collector 20. The first
collector
section 20a preferably collects the sap from the tree 90 into which it is
inserted,
and conveys the sap to the second collector section 20b, which thence
transfers it
to the collection system. The advantage of having at least two connector
sections
is that the collector 20 can be extended without hindering the collection of
the sap
from the tree 90, while also allowing at least one tab 50 to be attached to
the
second collector section 20b, as herein described. Preferably, two tabs 50 are
provided, each tab 50 projecting perpendicularly from the second collector
section
20b and each tab 50 being diametrically opposite one another. Using more tabs
50 or a configuration of tabs 50 that differs from that shown in Figure 4 is
possible.
The tabs 50 allow the user to easily grip the device 10 and when hammering or
inserting it, the user's fingers can be protected, for example. The tabs 50
also
prevent the device 10 from being irremovably inserted into the tree 90 by the
user.
Furthermore, the tabs 50 allow the user to handle the device 10 more easily,
and
also allow a sap-collecting bucket and/or other receptacle to be attached
thereto.
According to the present invention, the device 10 is made of a substantially
flexible but lightweight polymeric material, such as nylon, polycarbonate, a
hardened polymer, plastic, rubber, or composite materials, so as to
elastically
deform in response to a compressive/peripheral pressure exerted by the tree
90,
thereby providing a more secure frictional engagement between the outer
peripheral wall surface 24 and the tapped hole 92.
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The present invention is a substantial improvement over the prior art in that,
by virtue of its design and components, the device 10 is simple and easy to
use,
as well as is simple and easy to manufacture, without compromising the
reliability
of its functions. Hence, as can be appreciated, the device 10 can be easily
inserted
by a user into a tree 90 so as to collect sap therefrom, without causing
damage to
said tree 90 and without falling out of the tree 90 during cold weather
conditions.
Unlike prior art devices, the device 10 can be manufactured as having "thin
walls" because of the unique frustoconical shape of its inner wall surface 26
and,
preferably, its outer wall surface 24, as well as their preferably different
angles,
which allow the device 10 to have collector sections 22 of varying thickness
30 so
as to have the required wall thickness 30 and strength at a given point,
depending
on its position in the tree 90. These varied thicknesses along the length 40
of the
device 10 are unknown in the art, and advantageously allow the device 10 to be
inserted into a corresponding tapped hole 92 and to automatically frictionally
engage with the tapped hole 92, largely irrespective of the diameter of the
tapped
hole 92.
This optimal frictional engagement further advantageously provides a tight
seal between the tapped hole 92/bark of the tree 90, and the device 10, thus
preserving the "vacuum" and significantly reducing the amount of air that can
leak
into the tapped hole 92. This helps in maintaining the vacuum in the
collection
system, thus increasing the efficiency of sap collection. The tight seal
further
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advantageously reduces the likelihood of water entering the tapped hole 92
and/or
bark, and thus the damage caused to the tree 90 when this water freezes.
Another advantage provided by the frictional engagement of the device 10
with the tree 90 is that the device 10 will not be easily dislodged and/or
loosened
in the tapped hole 92 for the entire sap-collecting season, thus further
protecting
the tree 90 and reducing the labour associated with the reinsertion of
dislodged
conventional devices. Thus, less labour is needed to reinsert and reseal the
device
with a hammer or other means, thus causing further damage to the tree. Given
the
number of tapped holes in a tree over many years, it is understood that the
damage
to the tree will be greatly significantly reduced to a minimum and healing
will be
greatly improved.
Furthermore, the device 10, as a result of its thin, angled walls, can
advantageously respond to a pressure exerted by the tree 90 at the tapped hole
92 by elastically and temporarily deforming. In so doing, the device 10 adapts
to
the hardness of a given tree 90, rather than doing the opposite as with
conventional
sap-collecting devices which force the tree 90 to adapt to them. This better
protects
the bark of the tree 90, and limits the damage caused by the tapped hole 92.
Given
the number of tapped holes 92 that can be tapped in a single tree 90 over its
productive lifetime, this accommodation provides a significant commercial
benefit
'
by extending the useful life of the tree 90. Indeed, the thin inlet end 22ai
can
elastically deform in response to a compressive pressure exerted by the tree
90,
which can create several small ribs allowing sap to be freely collected at the
inlet
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12 without restriction. The device 10 allows even beginner sap collectors to
drill
tapped holes 92 and to install devices 10 correctly without causing damage to
the
trees.
A further advantage of the device 10 is that it is more "user- friendly"
because its angled inner wall surface 26 can "auto-align" with the tapped hole
92,
thus allowing even novice users to effectively collect sap. The angled inner
wall
surface 26 further allows the collected sap to flow more smoothly ice that
forms to
be moved out of the tapped hole 92, thereby further protecting the tree 90.
Another advantage of the device 10 is that its "thinness" can be also
obtained by varying the material thickness and hardness in the collector
sections
22. The device 10 can advantageously accommodate trees 90 which are harder
and/or softer, exert less and/or more compressive pressure, are more and/or
less
resistant, etc.
Of course, numerous modifications could be made to the above-described
embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined in
the
appended claims.
