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Maple syrup production spout assembly with backflow check valve

a backflow check valve and maple syrup technology, applied in the field of maple syrup production, can solve the problems that the current maple syrup spouts do not prevent sap from flowing back into, and achieve the effects of reducing or preventing the backflow of sap, reducing microbial contamination of the taphole, and increasing soil-based water uptake by the tr

Inactive Publication Date: 2014-01-23
UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is a spout assembly for maple syrup production that prevents sap from flowing back into the taphole during vacuum-based production. It includes a backflow check valve that only allows sap to flow through the chamber from the input end to the output end. The spout assembly can be applied separately or retrofitted into existing spout assembly designs and is particularly useful for maple producers who use vacuum-based systems in their operations. The method of extracting sap includes inserting the spout assembly into the maple tree and applying a vacuum to the output end while intermingling the vacuum with interruptions to activate the backflow check valve and prevent sap from reentering the tree. This reduces microbial contamination of the taphole, increases soil-based water uptake by the tree, and increases sap yield for maple syrup production.

Problems solved by technology

Current maple syrup spouts do not prevent sap from flowing back into the taphole when used in vacuum-based maple syrup production systems.

Method used

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  • Maple syrup production spout assembly with backflow check valve
  • Maple syrup production spout assembly with backflow check valve
  • Maple syrup production spout assembly with backflow check valve

Examples

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Embodiment Construction

[0024]FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an example maple syrup production system 200 that includes spout assembly 10 connected to tree 100 at a taphole 110 formed therein. Spout assembly 10 is described in greater detail below. System 200 includes a line system 208 that includes a dropline 210, a lateral line 220 and a mainline 230. A first end 212 of a dropline 210 is fluidly connected to an output end 66 of spout assembly 10 while the other end 214 is fluidly connected to lateral line 220.

[0025]Lateral line 220 in turn is operably connected to mainline 230, which in turn is operably connected to vacuum pump system 240 that includes a vacuum pump 242, an extractor 244 and a sap storage tank 246 An evaporator 250 is operably connected to vacuum pump system 240 Vacuum pump system 240, extractor 244, storage tank 246 and evaporator 250 are shown as housed in a sugarhouse 260. System 200 thereby provides vacuum-assisted fluid communication between taphole 110 and evaporator 250 so th...

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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.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates generally to maple syrup production, and in particular relates to spout assemblies used in vacuum-based maple syrup production systems.BACKGROUND ART[0002]Maple syrup production involves drilling holes into (i.e., “tapping”) maple trees, collecting the sap that exudes from the wound, and then reducing or “sugaring” down the sap using reverse osmosis and evaporators to form the final syrup. Details of maple syrup production are described in the publication entitled “North American Maple Syrup Producers Manual” (second edition), produced by Ohio State University, in cooperation with the North American Maple Syrup Council, and edited by Heiligmann, Koelling and Perkins, which is incorporated by reference herein by way of background information.[0003]The traditional way of collecting maple sap uses buckets at the tap source. The sap is then collected in a tank and then transported to the “sugarhouse” for processing. Over the year...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): A01G23/14F16K15/02
CPCA01G23/14F16K15/021F16K15/04Y10T137/7837Y10T137/7866Y10T137/86083
Inventor PERKINS, TIMOTHY D.
Owner UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT
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