Abstract: The present invention is directed to a conformable termite bait container capable of being located either against a first substantially planar surface or against a corner defined by the intersection of a second and a third substantially planar surface. The conformable termite bait container preferably comprises a housing which includes a back wall, front wall and side structure operatively connected between the front and back walls. The back wall, front wall and side structure form an interior cavity therebetween capable of storing termite bait. A plurality of openings are located on the housing to allow termites to access the bait locatable therewithin. A first structurally-weakened area is located along the longitudinal length of the back wall, figuratively dividing the back wall into a first back portion and a second back portion.

Abstract: The present invention can be attached to any type of roof which comprises an outer layer attached to a substrate layer. The present invention comprises a block having a base and a top, a snow guard attached to the block, and two rods, each having a first and a second terminal end and a predetermined length therebetween. The first terminal end of each rod is attached to the base of the block. To secure the block to the roof, two holes are placed through the outer and substrate layers of the roof. The base of the block is placed in juxtaposition with the outer layer of the roof, with the second terminal ends of the two rods located through the holes in the roof. The length of the two rods is sufficient to allow the second terminal ends thereof to extend below the substrate layer of the roof.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a jack preferably comprising: a platform; a jack arm stabilizer guide having a first and a second terminal end, the first terminal end being attached to the platform; a jack arm; a jack arm stabilizer attached near the first terminal end of the jack arm, and the jack arm stabilizer is preferably slidably connected to the jack arm stabilizer guide so as to allow the jack arm stabilizer to be translocatable between the first and the second terminal ends of the jack arm stabilizer guide; and a vertical lift system operatively connected between the jack arm and the platform which is capable of vertically lifting the jack arm, thus translocating the jack arm stabilizer within the jack arm stabilizer guide.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a conformable termite bait container capable of being located either against a first substantially planar surface or against a corner defined by the intersection of a second and a third substantially planar surfaces. In a preferred embodiment, the conformable termite bait container comprises a housing having a front wall, a back wall and side walls operatively connected between the front wall and the back wall, where the front, back and side walls form an interior cavity capable of storing insect bait. A plurality of openings are located on the housing to allow termites to enter and exit the housing and access the insect bait located therewithin.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a block having a first and a second exterior side wall, a base and a top. A groove is located in the base of the block, the groove defining a first and a second interior side wall and a top interior surface. The block is locatable on a metal roof by placement of the groove about a segment of the seam formed by overlapping adjacent roofing panels. A hole is located in the block between the top of the block and the groove, and a locking device is locatable in the hole. Initially locating the locking device into the hole causes the locking device to be positioned between a portion of the seam of the metal roof and a portion of the first interior side wall of the block. Further translocation of the locking device into the hole causes the locking device to engage the portion of the seam of the metal roof and the portion of the first interior side wall of the block, thereby securing the block to the metal roof.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a scented hair accessory preferably comprising a substantially tubular housing having a first and a second terminal end joined together to define an inner circumferential area. The tubular housing is substantially flexible and resiliently expandable about the inner circumferential area. A chamber is located within the tubular housing, into which a scenting material is located. At least a portion of the tubular housing is porous, thereby allowing the scent emanating from the scented material to escape therefrom. Optionally, a pocket is attached to the tubular housing, and the scenting material is located therewithin. The pocket is preferably sealably accessible, thereby allowing a user to remove and/or replace the scenting material therefrom. An elastic material is preferably located within the chamber to allow the tubular housing to be resiliently expandable about the inner circumferential area. Alternatively, the tubular housing can comprise an elastic material.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a frozen cheesecake ice cream which preferably comprises cream, milk, condensed skim milk, cream cheese, cane sugar and a unique stabilizing system having a base component and a stabilizer component. The cream, milk and condensed skim milk are pasteurized, then cooled to a temperature suitable for culturing. A culture media is added to culture the pasteurized mixture for preferably ten to fourteen hours. Thereafter, the cream cheese, cane sugar and stabilizing system are added. The stabilizing system comprises a base component and a stabilizer component. The base component is preferably sodium bicarbonate, commonly referred to as baking soda. A by-product of the culturing process is lactic acid. If the culturing process were to continue unabated, the acidity would eventually cause the mixture to coagulate. The addition of the base component and the cane sugar arrests the culturing process.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device capable of being attached to a metal roof comprises a substantially perpendicular seam. The device comprises a block. A groove is located in the base of the block, and the block is locatable on the roof by placement of the groove on the seam. There are two embodiments for securing the block to the seam. In the first embodiment, a threaded hole is located in the block between the first side wall and the groove, and a cavity is located in the groove diametrical to the threaded hole. A set screw is locatable in the threaded hole. The set screw has an opening at its terminal end for receiving an element having a curved surface, the element protruding therefrom and pivotable therewithin. Driving the set screw into the hole causes the curved surface of the element to engage the seam, driving the seam towards the cavity of the groove diametric thereto, thereby forming a pocket in the seam, and securing the block to the seam.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an herbal compound which aids in the relief of symptoms caused by female hormonal imbalances. The herbal compound of the present invention preferably comprises red raspberry, bayberry, blue cohosh, capsicum, cascara sagrada, damiana, ginger, valerian and a binding agent. The ratio of red raspberry to the other herbal constituents is preferably two to one. The herbal compound preferably further comprises a binding agent which comprises cellulose, to hold the herbal components together, as well as vegetable powder, used as a food carrier so that the herbal compound can be safely and effectively taken on an empty stomach. The binding agent preferably also comprises ingredients to allow the herbal compound to dissolve in the stomach. In the preferred embodiment, the herbal compound and binding agents are formed as a tablet, with the exterior surface thereof coated with a food glaze.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device capable of being attached to a metal roof comprises a substantially perpendicular seam. The device comprises a block. A groove is located in the base of the block, and the block is locatable on the roof by placement of the groove on the seam. There are two embodiments for securing the block to the seam. In the first embodiment, a threaded hole is located in the block between the first side wall and the groove, and a cavity is located in the groove diametrical to the threaded hole. A set screw is locatable in the threaded hole. The set screw has an opening at its terminal end for receiving an element having a curved surface, the element protruding therefrom and pivotable therewithin. Driving the set screw into the hole causes the curved surface of the element to engage the seam, driving the seam towards the cavity of the groove diametric thereto, thereby forming a pocket in the seam, and securing the block to the seam.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an above-ground, explosion-retardant containment vessel for the storage of a flammable liquid. The containment vessel preferably comprises a primary storage tank capable of storing the flammable liquid and a containment dike surrounding the primary storage tank. The containment dike contains any leakage from the primary storage tank within the interstitial space existing between the exterior of the primary storage tank and the interior of the containment dike. An inert gas is preferably located within the interstitial space, and the interstitial space is further substantially free of oxygen. The inert environment retards the explosion of any flammable fluids which may leak into or otherwise be contained within the interstitial space. The containment vessel preferably further comprises a system capable of maintaining the pressure of the inert gas within the interstitial space to at least a predetermined pressure despite temperature variations.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a flexible leveling device for use on curved surfaces. The flexible leveling device comprises an elongated rectangular body having a longitudinal axis and being capable of at least 360.degree. flexion about its longitudinal axis. A first spirit level is operatively connected to the elongated body. A holder preferably secures the spirit level to the elongated rectangular body, allowing the spirit level to remain substantially in position during flexion of the elongated body. The holder preferably comprises a first portion operatively connected to the rectangular body, with the spirit level operatively connected to the second portion of the holder. The elongated rectangular body preferably further comprises a first projection located near the first terminal edge, and a second projection located near the second terminal edge. The projections facilitate placement of the flexible leveling device.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a billing system which provides the most cost-effective long-distance telephone service for long-distance telephone calls made by an account by analyzing long-distance telephone calls in the aggregate, comparing the cost thereof between at least two different providers, and charging the account based on the lowest cost. Providers of long-distance telephone services aggregate those long-distance telephone calls for which an account is responsible and determine the cost of service based either on mileage or aggregate time. In a first embodiment, the billing system compares the costs of service associated with two different service plans, both of which determine the cost of service based on mileage. In a second embodiment, the billing system compares the costs of service associated with two different service plans, one which determines the cost of service based on mileage, the other of which determines the cost of service based on aggregate time.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a shield capable of inhibiting squirrels from eating bird seed from a bird feeder. The present invention comprises an enclosure having a cavity capable of housing bird seed, a perch attached to the enclosure and located below the hole, and a shield located offset from and substantially in front of the hole and in proximity to the perch. The shield preferably has three substantially U-shaped members capable of inhibiting squirrels from eating the bird seed through the hole. A structure is preferably attached between the enclosure and the shield to secure the shield in its offset position, and preferably comprises a first segment attached between the first and second terminal ends of the first U-shaped member, and a second segment attached between the first and second terminal ends of the third U-shaped member. These first and second segments further inhibit a squirrel from accessing the hole in the bird feeder.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for measuring subsidence by evaluating the distance between radioactive markers which have previously been implanted in the formation traversed by a borehole. The apparatus comprises an elongate body containing at least two nuclear detection assemblies which are spaced apart along the longitudinal axis of the body. Each detection assembly inludes at least one position sensitive detector for detecting position along the longitudinal axis of the body. Measurements are performed while the apparatus is held stationary opposite the markers.

Abstract: A sonde for aquiring seismic signals in a borehole, the sonde comprising: a detector module (30) enclosing at least one seismic sensor (G); an elongate body (21) having a lateral cavity (22) suitable for receiving the detector module (30); a resilient suspension (40, 50) connecting said module to said body; and an anchor member (12, 13) disposed on the opposite side of said body to the side in which said cavity is disposed. The sonde is characterized by the fact that the resilient suspension exerts a force on said module suitable for displacing it out from the cavity and for pressing it against the wall of the borehole so as to couple it to said wall, together with means (41, 43, 51, 53, 60) which are provided to retract the module into said cavity against the force exerted by the resilient suspension.