Abstract: The Improved Salad Dressing Preparation and Storage Container is a food preparation device that allows for conveniently measuring, mixing, and dispensing of homemade vinaigrette salad dressing. The device uses two adjacent, adjoined compartments that are volumetrically proportioned to allow for the recommended ratio of oil and vinegar (acid) to be consistently achieved by filling them with oil and vinegar to the same apparent level. The Improved Salad Dressing Preparation and Storage Container may also be configured for commercial sale pre-filled with the oil and vinegar contents, those kept separated by sealing the adjoined compartments using an adapted seal. The pre-filled container may be designed and marketed for secondary use by consumers for use in making their own vinaigrette salad dressing recipes.

Abstract: An improved insect trapping and barrier adhesive compound having a significantly enhanced mechanical insecticide and insect repelling action. The improved insect trapping and barrier compound is supplied in bulk to be used outdoors for the spot control of insect pests. Alternatively it may be supplied already applied to a disposable media for indoor or very localized outdoor insect control applications.

Abstract: A nectar type bird feeder having an incorporated short-wavelength, ultraviolet light source adapted to illuminate the nectar contents and feeder internal surfaces. The ultraviolet light exposure functioning to significantly retard the growth of nectar spoiling micro-organisms and thereby to significantly extend the nectar freshness or service life. The ultraviolet light source may be built directly into the nectar feeder or configured as an add-on accessory. The preferred embodiment of the nectar feeder, ultraviolet light device will be solar powered and made to cycle on/off automatically. As hummingbirds are adapted to see UV-A light (300 nm-400 nm) the light source may be cycled on/off during the day to make the feeder visually conspicuous and thereby more attractive to the feeding birds.

Abstract: The Pressure Relieving Panel for a Caning Jar is a device that allows for the convenient use of a standard sized caning jar to be used for anaerobic, lactic acid fermentation, i.e. making homemade sauerkraut, pickles, or other ferments. The device is configured as a replacement, sealing panel or lid for a standard sized caning jar that allows the CO2 gas from the fermentation process to escape from the jar. This device makes use of a one-way, pressure-relieving check valve incorporated into the sealing panel that prevents outside air (oxygen) from getting back into the jar where the anaerobic fermentation process is taking place. The pressure relieving, sealing panel(s) of the instant invention do not require regular monitoring or refilling as required for water type, air lock devices.

Abstract: An improved insect trapping and barrier adhesive compound having a significantly enhanced mechanical insecticide and insect repelling action. The improved insect trapping and barrier compound is supplied in bulk to be used outdoors for the spot control of insect pests. Alternatively it may be supplied already applied to a disposable media for indoor or very localized outdoor insect control applications.

Abstract: The invention provides a convenient, lightweight and streamlined connecting device for attaching a leader or tippet to a fly-fishing line. The Fly Line Connecting Device is configured with an expandable tubular lattice that allows for an in-line connection to the fly line. The connection device has an integral tubular lattice sized with an internal diameter that is slightly smaller that the fly line and when compressively displaced, operates to expand the internal diameter to allow insertion of the fly line. Once the fly line is fully inserted, the tubular lattice is allowed to contract and elastically constrict onto and thereby grip the semi-resilient surface of the fly line. When the fly line and leader line are placed in tension through the connecting device, the tubular lattice acts to constrict down on the fly-line to resist separation.

Abstract: The Convenience Nectar Mixing and Storage Device consists of a container that is divided proportionately to allow for the precise measuring of the recommended sugar to water ratios used for nectar type bird and butterfly feeders. The device is adapted for supporting a removable divider that separates the container into proportionate volumes, 4 to 1, 6 to 1, and 9 to 1 that correspond to the commonly recommended sugar to water ratios for hummingbird, oriole, and butterfly nectar feeders. The device allows for the water and sugar compartments to be filled to the same “line of sight” level to facilitate the making of precise nectar sugar to water ratios. Once the sugar and water compartments are filled to the same level, the divider is removed to allow for mixing. In the preferred embodiment of the Convenience Nectar Mixing and Storage Devices, the container divider can be used as a stirring implement and lid to cover the container during storage.

Abstract: A device used with nectar type bird feeders that acts as a barrier to prevent ant contamination. The device is positioned between the nectar feeder and the feeder support or is adapted to fit directly on a feeder or feeder support. The device is configured to hold a tacky polymer insert that is located to be in the only path available to the ants attempting to crawl to the feeder. The ants are prevented from entering and contaminating the nectar-feeder as they will not cross over the tacky polymer insert. The elastic, shape retaining tacky polymer insert is very easy to remove and can be handled directly where it can be cleaned with liquid soap and water if it become dirty or dust covered. The ant barrier device with the tacky polymer inserts can perform effectively as an ant barrier for several feeding seasons. Alternatively, a unitary structured, tacky polymer barrier may be constructed for direct attachment to a nectar-type birdfeeder or feeder support structure.

Abstract: The invention consists of a related series of simple device embodiments used for the spot control of insect pests. Each of the invention embodiments uses the relatively common, non-toxic insect control substances, including a non-drying adhesive and/or diatomaceous earth and stabilizes them for convenient, effective application by affixing them to a disposable media carrier, such as paper, vinyl, thin foam, cellophane, etc. The first embodiment of the invention has the form of a double sided tape with a standard contact adhesive on one side and a tacky, non-drying adhesive on the other side. The non-drying adhesive acts as an effective insect barrier when the tape is applied around a perimeter to restrict crawling insect passage. A refinement of the double sided tape invention embodiment has the outside facing non-drying adhesive applied in combination with an adjacent or interspersed pattern of applied diatomaceous earth.

Abstract: A simple device for use with nectar type bird feeders that effectively prevents ant and other insect contamination. The device uses a disposable media that is coated with a non-drying adhesive. The nondrying adhesive acts as a barrier to the passage of crawling insects. The device is placed interposed between the nectar feeder and the feeder support so as to restrict insects from crawling to the feeder by any route that does not pass through the adhesive coated media Insects are prevented from contaminating the feeder as they will not cross the non-drying adhesive barrier. The device can be made completely disposable or it may be constructed to accept replaceable adhesive media inserts and/or peel away layers that are conveniently replaced as they become contaminated or dust covered.

Abstract: The Convenience Nectar Mixing and Storage Device consists of a container that is divided proportionately to allow for the precise measuring of the recommended sugar to water ratios used for nectar type bird and butterfly feeders. The device is adapted for supporting a removable divider that separates the container into proportionate volumes, 4 to 1, 6 to 1, and 9 to 1 that correspond to the commonly recommended sugar to water ratios for hummingbird, oriole, and butterfly nectar feeders. The device allows for the water and sugar compartments to be filled to the same “line of sight” level to facilitate the making of precise nectar sugar to water ratios. Once the sugar and water compartments are filled to the same level, the divider is removed to allow for mixing. In the preferred embodiment of the Convenience Nectar Mixing and Storage Devices, the container divider can be used as a stirring implement and lid to cover the container during storage.