Patent ID: 8677682
Filing Date: 2014-03-25
Classification: A01G

Abstract:
1. 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 single material, the thickness of the single 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 generated by a contact of the outer peripheral wall surface with an inner surface of the tapped hole, the single material between the peripheral wall surfaces at the removably-insertable collector portion being elastically and temporarily 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 to generate the frictional engagement, the thickness of the single material being about 1/32 inch or less at the inlet of the device.