Abstract: Sap-collecting devices, systems and methods for sap-producing saplings are disclosed. The saplings each have at least one stem, which is cut to form a top end at a reasonable height above ground. The sap-collecting system includes a sap-collecting device that fits over the top end and forms a vacuum-tight seal with the stem. The sap-collecting device includes an interior and an access port open to the interior. The access port can be connected to a line system. A vacuum system is operably connected to the line system and forms a vacuum within the sap-collecting device. This serves to draw the sap from the top end of the sapling, through the sap-collecting device, through the line system and to a collecting tank. A plantation growth, management, and sap-collecting system that comprises the sap-collecting system and a stand of saplings is also disclosed.

Abstract: A device for maple sap harvesting, which includes an assembly of a tubular sleeve which is removably mounted inside a tubular section of a tap. The tubular sleeve may be molded from a food-grade, anti-bacterial material. The tubular sleeve is inserted into the tap before the tap is driven into a maple tree. When the tap is removed from the tree at the conclusion of the sap harvest period, the sleeve may be discarded. The next season, a new sleeve is placed in the tap, with the new sleeve containing no residual bacterial contamination from the previous season of use.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device capable of retaining water in a water heater during the course of changing out the heating element. The device is comprised of a series of parts that fit together in such a way as to allow for a heating element insertion and removal without draining of water from the water heater. Because of the relationship between tubes 4 and 7, and bushings 3 and 5 (teflon, aluminum, or any suitable metal or material) and the threaded piece 1 and heating element tip, screwing in clockwise heating element allows for alignment of these components (tube 4 with slots to align with tube 7 and its slots); slots will be aligned so that water flows through. The heating element is in fluid contact with the water of the water heater. However, unscrewing counter-clockwise the heating element rotates these components in such a fashion as to block the slots in tubes 4 and 7 and the threaded element 1 in order to contain the water of the water heater while the heating element is exchanged for a new one.

Abstract: The device is provided for collecting sap from a tapped hole of a tree. It includes a collector having a substantially frustoconical outer peripheral wall surface and an inner peripheral wall surface. The collector also has 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 is 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.

Abstract: A sap collection method and system, the system comprising at least a first line of a first diameter, at least a second line of a second diameter, the second diameter being at most equal to the first diameter; and a connection in fluid communication between the second line and the first line for sap collection from the first line to the second line; wherein the connection comprises a material of walls of an opening in a wall of the first line fused with a material of an end of the second line and for a connecting part engaging an end of the second line.

Abstract: A maple syrup production spout assembly (10) with a backflow check valve (79) is disclosed. The spout assembly is designed for use with vacuum-based maple syrup productions systems (200) and is used to prevent the backflow of sap (270) into the maple tree (100) and thus prevent the drying out of the taphole (110) due to microbial contamination. Certain existing maple production spout assemblies can be retrofitted to form the backflow check valve spout assembly disclosed herein. Methods of using the spout assembly in maple syrup production are also disclosed.

Abstract: A protective sleeve for plastic tubing used in the collection of sap. The sleeve provides protection from damage or interference by varmints.

Abstract: A dual-line spout for maple syrup production is disclosed. The spout has a nose section with an input channel, and an interior chamber having first and second flow paths each fluidly connected to the input channel and to respective first and second output channels. The spout is designed for use with vacuum-based maple syrup productions systems that use a dual-line line system. The dry-line portion of the line system fluidly connects to the first output channel and the wet-line portion of the line system fluidly connected to the second output channel. Example spouts have no chambers, a single chamber or two sub-chambers, to facilitate air-liquid separation. Methods of using the spout in a vacuum-based, dual-line maple syrup production system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for removing sap from a plurality of trees includes a main tube supported at least in part by a plurality of drain tubes without the use of a spinal support. The main tube as supported can negotiate a path between a plurality of trees. The drain tubes are adapted to be supported at the trees. The drain tubes are in fluid communication with the main tube for removing sap through a drain tube into the main tube.

Abstract: A line system for a maple syrup production system, where the lateral lines have an inside diameter greater than 5/16? nominal and less than or equal to ¾? and the lateral line fitting and mainline fitting have a nominal inside diameter of greater than 0.225? and less than or equal to 0.70?. Further, the line system has drop lines with an inside diameter greater than 5/16? nominal and less than or equal to ¾? and the spout fitting has a nominal inside diameter of greater than 0.225? and less than or equal to 0.70?. The increased inside diameters of the drop lines, lateral lines, spout fittings, lateral line fittings and mainline fittings dramatically improves the flow of air and sap from the taphole and through the line system.

Abstract: A dual-line spout for maple syrup production is disclosed. The spout has a nose section with an input channel, and an interior chamber having first and second flow paths each fluidly connected to the input channel and to respective first and second output channels. The spout is designed for use with vacuum-based maple syrup productions systems that use a dual-line line system. The dry-line portion of the line system fluidly connects to the first output channel and the wet-line portion of the line system fluidly connected to the second output channel. Example spouts have no chambers, a single chamber or two sub-chambers, to facilitate air-liquid separation. Methods of using the spout in a vacuum-based, dual-line maple syrup production system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for removing sap from a plurality of trees includes a main tube supported at least in part by a plurality of drain tubes without the use of a spinal support. The main tube as supported can negotiate a path between a plurality of trees. The drain tubes are adapted to be supported at the trees. The drain tubes are in fluid communication with the main tube for removing sap through a drain tube into the main tube.

Abstract: A maple syrup production spout with an interior chamber is disclosed. The spout is designed for use with vacuum-based maple syrup production systems. The interior chamber serves as a reservoir that allows the vacuum to accumulate, thereby facilitating the flow of sap from the tap hole, through the spout and into the dropline. The interior chamber also facilitates reduced liquid-liquid contact between the tubing system and the taphole, which improves the cleanliness of the tap hole and increases sap yield. Methods of using the spout in maple syrup production system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A maple syrup production spout assembly (10) with a backflow check valve (79) is disclosed. The spout assembly is designed for use with vacuum-based maple syrup productions systems (200) and is used to prevent the backflow of sap (270) into the maple tree (100) and thus prevent the drying out of the taphole (110) due to microbial contamination. Certain existing maple production spout assemblies can be retrofitted to form the backflow check valve spout assembly disclosed herein. Methods of using the spout assembly in maple syrup production are also disclosed.

Abstract: A clock adjusting method and an electronic equipment using the method are disclosed in which a clock portion of an electronic equipment is correctly and simply adjusted by use of time information in broadcasting waves. In the case where a time indicated by the clock portion of the electronic equipment is “0:00” a.m. or after “0:00” and before “23:00”, the time of the clock portion is set at a reference time based on the time information. In the other case, the judgement is made of whether the time of the clock portion indicates a time of the next day as compared with the reference time or a time of the preceding day as compared with the reference time. When the time of the clock portion indicates a time of the next day as compared with the reference time, the time of the clock portion is set at the reference time while a day of the week indicated by the clock portion is put back one day.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a system composed of a principal pipe joining a secondary pipe by means of a T, and that at the end of the secondary pipe is located a threaded adapter by which comes to connect a spout that one can to disconnect and clean , and which the threaded adapter comes itself to connect at the external stem of T located on the principal pipe in closing the secondary pipe in order to avoid the accumulation of bacteria or detritus at the inside of the secondary pipe.

Abstract: The disclosure herein describes a device for use in a sap collecting system which is formed of a body of fluid impermeable composition that has a passageway for allowing sap to circulate therethrough; the composition consists of a plastics material and of a plurality of randomly distributed non corrosive hard granules. The granules have a hardness to repress rodent animals to pierce the plastics material and are so distributed in the plastic material that at least one granule will be contacted when the body is gnawed by a rodent animal.

Abstract: A system for collecting sap from maple trees in which is provided a family of interchangeable connectors or fittings providing quick connect/disconnect features, and a spout member providing for more straight line flow of sap through such a member. An assembly is provided of a male and a female member which allows quick connection of branch lines together, or a branch line to the main line conduit. A drop line assembly is provided which allows for better tapping of sap producing trees to maintain healthy trees. A cap is provided constituting one member of the quick connect/disconnect assembly whereby any part of the sap collection system can be isolated from the rest or for providing a closed system for cleaning or selected from the environment. Adaptors are provided which incorporate the features of the quick connect/disconnect assembly making it possible to convert old sap collecting systems to one using the connectors and fixtures having the quick connect/disconnect features.

Abstract: A system for collecting sap from maple trees in which is provided a family of interchangeable connectors or fittings providing quick connect/disconnect features, and a spout member providing for more straight line flow of sap through such a member. An assembly is provided of a male and female member which allows quick connection of branch lines together, or a branch line to the main line conduit. A drop line assembly is provided which allows for better tapping of sap producing trees to maintain healthy trees. A cap is provided constituting one member of the quick connect/disconnect assembly whereby any part of the sap collection system can be isolated from the rest or for providing a closed system for cleaning or sealed from the environment. Adaptors are provided which incorporate the features of the quick connect/disconnect assembly making it possible to convert old sap collecting systems to one using the connectors and fixtures having the quick connect/disconnect features.

Abstract: The disclosure herein describes a connector for use in a network of mains and tubes for directing sap collected from trees to a central sap-processing unit. The connector, which is used for conveying sap from a tube to a main, first comprises a clip for encircling the main. The clip consists of a separatable band having interlockable ends which are so shaped as to draw the band onto the main when interlocking is carried out. The connector also comprises a sap conveying member which is rotatably engaged in an opening defined in the band, the conveying member having one end adapted to penetrate a pre-pierced hole in the main. The conveying member is rotatably orientable with respect to the clip and to the main for connection with tubes having varying angles relative to the axis of the main.

Abstract: The disclosure herein describes a device for collecting sap from trees and directing the sap to a sap collecting system operatable under vacuum conditions; it comprises a hollow body including a frusto-conical section adapted to be forced into the outer layers of a tree to be sap-collected. Adjacent the open end of the section is a series of longitudinal sap irrigating grooves allowing the sap to be collected and directed into the hollow body with the system is operating under vacuum conditions. To prevent air from being sucked into the hollow body as a result of the vacuum effect, the frusto-conical section has a groove in which is received a resilient element sealing the body to the of tree layers.

Abstract: The disclosure herein describes a device for collecting sap from trees which comprises: a first member having a hollow sap-collecting section with one end adapted to be inserted into a cavity formed in the outer layers of a tree to be sapped, and an openable housing section integrally formed at the other end thereof; and a second member with a head section movably mounted in the housing section and a sap-discharging section adapted to be connected to a sap tubing system. The head section is movable between a first position wherein a channel in the head section is in fluid communication with the sap passageway so that sap collected from the tree may be directed to the sap tubing system through the channel, and a second position wherein the passageway is blocked by the head section. A third member partially mounted over the sap-collecting section of the first member may be used to cooperate with an expansible sealing element on the first member to sealingly secure the device into the tree.

Abstract: The disclosure herein describes a device for collecting sap from trees which has a sap-collecting section adapted to be inserted into the outer layers of a tree; this section displays thereon an annular recess in which is received an expansible sealing element. A second member is partially mounted over the sap-collecting section of the first member and is adapted to be moved against the sealing element so as to expand the element when the device is inserted into a tree cavity to thereby prevent air infiltration in the device when the sap-collecting system is operating under vacuum conditions.

Abstract: Apparatus for harvesting maple sap that includes a molded tap having a housing containing an enclosed chamber, a spout having an inlet hole passing into the chamber and a line connector depending downwardly having an outlet hole that also communicates with the chamber. A plug having an elongated tapered stopper for closing the inlet hole is secured by a lanyard to the housing. A bracket is disposed outwardly from the top of the housing that has a hole passing therethrough for receiving the stopper of the plug therein in friction locking engagement so that the plug can be safely and securely stored when it is removed from the inlet hole.

Abstract: A tree sap collection system which comprises a main conduit extending through a grove of trees with branch conduits extending from the main conduit to each tree. Each branch conduit is connected to the main conduit through a coupling. The coupling includes a plurality of equiangularly spaced-apart connectors with each connector to engage with a separate branch conduit. Each branch conduit terminates in a spout. The spout is to be inserted within a hole formed within a tree. The spout is to be connectable with a closure device when the spout is not in use. The closure device includes a frame which connects with a plug which is located within the access opening of the spout and extends around the exterior of the spout for tightly retaining the plug within the access opening of the spout.

Abstract: This combination connector and plug is for use in a sap collecting system in which plastic tubing is connected to a spout inserted in a borehole in the trunk of a tree. A member has an axial passageway for transporting sap between a first fitting for connecting a first plastic tube to the member and a second fitting for connecting a second plastic tube to the member. A projection extends from the member and is dimensioned to fit in sealing engagement in the end of the spout when the spout is removed from the borehole. With the projection placed in the end of the spout, the plastic tubing connector and spout can be stored by hanging them in a sealed condition on one of the tress from which the sap is collected.