Linear, small diameter maple spile made of stainless steel or plastic with two o-rings

Abstract

This is an original design of a small diameter maple spile. It is designed to facilitate sap movement from any sap-producing tree into the tubing. Two o-rings provide additional sealing surfaces to safeguard against leaks and increase spile visibility. Design and material provide a more hygienic connection between the tree and tubing, compared to the connection of a larger spile, which is more easily contaminated. The small size diameter of the tap hole causes less damage to the tree and consequently allows swift healing. The smaller tap hole also promotes tree health by lessening risks of bacterial and fungal infection. The linear design of this spile allows for ease of cleaning by ultrasonic means and indefinite reuse.

Claims

1. A small diameter sap spile comprising: a continuous linear body comprised of a spout barrel including a grooved head and one or more O-rings, wherein said grooved head includes at least one radius groove; said head having multiple smoothly rounded outer, discontinuous, perimeter surfaces, thereby creating a strong, secure seal between said discontinuous, perimeter head surfaces and the inner wall surfaces of flexible (sap collecting) tubing; said smoothly rounded outer, discontinuous, perimeter surfaces of the head facilitate the attachment and removal of flexible tubing on said head; each radius groove is encompassed by one or more said O-rings providing additional secure sealing surfaces between the spile and the flexible tubing to prevent micro leaks; said O-ring(s) is of a bright color to clearly contrast with tree bark colors; and said head's multiple smoothly rounded outer, discontinuous, perimeter surfaces and one or more said O-rings work in tandem to overcome the common flaw of a disconnect between sap spout and tubing during a freeze-thaw sap flow cycle.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) The accompanying drawings further illustrate the measurements and physical characteristics of this embodiment.

(2) FIG. 1 is a side view of the spile body of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, with dashed lines depicting the center channel or conduit for sap.

(3) FIG. 2 is an end view of the head and conduit of the embodiment.

(4) FIG. 3 is a detailed view of securing ridges at the tapered end of the spout barrel.

(5) FIG. 4 is a 3-D side view of the embodiment with solid fill and two O-rings.

(6) FIG. 5A depicts a complete O-ring.

(7) FIG. 5B depicts a cross-section of O-ring.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(8) This embodiment pertains to a small diameter sap spile with O-rings. The preferred size of the insertion end of the spile body measures 0.145 inch and requires a drilled tree hole size of 0.156 inch, but other sizes are possible.

(9) This embodiment, depicted in FIG. 4, is comprised of: A stainless steel or plastic spile body 10 depicted in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4 Two silicone O-rings (24 of FIG. 4 and FIG. 5A)

(10) The preferred embodiment spile body is anticipated to be of stainless steel and manufactured in a machine shop. It can, however, be made of any other material including, but not limited to, ferrous metals, non-ferrous metals, plastic and resins.

(11) A hole is drilled through the center of the body 18 running lengthwise, creating a conduit. The spout barrel 16 tapers at the insertion end 22 after the onset of securing ridges 20. The opposite end of the spile body 12, referred to as the head (where tubing is attached), has two radius grooves 14.

(12) One O-ring (FIGS. 5A and 24) is placed in each of the two radius grooves 14. Said O-rings 24 create a secure seal with the inner diameter or wall surface of standard tubing. They are brightly colored to increase visibility of the spile against tree bark.