Sap collector

1. A sap collecting device comprising:

a top end, a bottom end, and a sidewall extending between the top and bottom ends;

the sidewall defining a generally tapering cross-sectional profile as the sidewall extends from the bottom end toward the top end, at least a portion of the bottom end being open, the sidewall defining a notch along a location between the top end and the bottom end so as to provide a handle for holding the sap collecting device; and

a taphole located on the sidewall that is configured to engage a tap, the taphole being positioned generally below the notch defined by the sidewall, the taphole in communication with the open portion of the bottom end;

wherein the top end further defines a concave depression adjacent the notch, the concave depression configured to facilitate fingertip grip, wherein the notch defines an L-shaped configuration of the sap collecting device, wherein a first end of the L-shaped configuration terminates adjacent the concave depression of the sap collecting device and a second end of the L-shaped configuration terminates between the top end and bottom end to form an intermediate end.

2. The sap collecting device of claim 1 , wherein the sidewall is generally curved.

3. The sap collecting device of claim 1 , wherein the sidewall is generally cylindrical.

4. The sap collecting device of claim 1 , wherein the taphole defines a tap receiving portion and a tap retention portion.

5. The sap collecting device of claim 4 , wherein the tap retention portion has a smaller width than a width of the tap receiving portion.

6. The sap collecting device of claim 1 , wherein the notch is on a same side of the sidewall as the taphole.

7. The sap collecting device of claim 1 , wherein the sap collecting device includes at least one bag attachment feature adjacent the bottom end.

8. The sap collecting device of claim 7 , wherein the bag attachment feature defines a flange extending at least partially along the sidewall.

9. The sap collecting device of claim 7 , wherein the bag attachment feature defines two parallel bag attachment features providing a space therebetween for accommodating a bag fastener.

10. The sap collecting device of claim 1 , wherein a cross-sectional profile of the sidewall defines a taper angle of between 1° and 10°.

11. The sap collecting device of claim 1 , wherein a cross-sectional profile of the sidewall tapers inwardly as it extends from the bottom end to the top end.

12. The sap collecting device of claim 1 , wherein the top end is closed.

13. The sap collecting device of claim 1 , further comprising a stiff rib extending along the sidewall between the top end and the bottom end.

14. A sap collecting kit comprising:

a sap collecting device comprising:

a top end, a bottom end, and a sidewall extending between the top and bottom ends;

at least a portion of the bottom end being open, the sidewall defining a notch along a location between the top end and the bottom end so as to provide a handle for holding the sap collecting device; and

a taphole located on the sidewall that is configured to engage a tap, the taphole being positioned generally below the notch defined by the sidewall, the taphole in communication with the open portion of the bottom end; and

a sap collecting bag removably connectable to the bottom end;

wherein the top end further defines a concave depression adjacent the notch, the concave depression configured to facilitate fingertip grip, wherein the notch defines an L-shaped configuration of the sap collecting device, wherein a first end of the L-shaped configuration terminates adjacent the concave depression of the sap collecting device and a second end of the L-shaped configuration terminates between the top end and bottom end to form an intermediate end.

15. The sap collecting kit of claim 14 , wherein the sap collecting bag is attached to the sap collecting device with a bag fastener.