Patents by Inventor James Bruce Ballard

James Bruce Ballard has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20040031190
    Abstract: Arthropod monitoring stations are provided, as well as methods for using them. The stations comprise a housing having a first end, a second end, and lateral wall extending between the first end and the second end. The first end, second end, and lateral wall substantially define an interior portion of the housing, and at least one of the first end, the second end, and the lateral wall includes at least one aperture suitable for ingress or egress by an arthropod with rest to said interior of said housing. Preferably, at least two members are disposed within the housing, each of the members having a first end, a second end, and a lateral wall extending between the first end and the second end. At least one of the members comprises a material capable of being consumed by arthropods, a material capable of being penetrated by arthropods, a material capable of being transported by arthropods, or a material capable of killing arthropods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2003
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventors: James Robert Collins, James Bruce Ballard, John Francis Wright, Neil Anthony Destefano, Donald Frederick Claus
  • Patent number: 6235301
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for controlling termites. The invention provides a more attractive and durable termite bait by providing a thin flat block of wood with grooves and impregnating the surface of the wood with a slow acting toxicant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: James Bruce Ballard, Sherman H. Trimm
  • Patent number: 6195934
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for controlling termites. The invention provides a tamper resistant bait station, which uses a cellulose bait impregnated with a slow acting toxicant and readily allows entry of termite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: William Francis Megargle, John Ernest Milliner, Michael Dea Andis, P. David Simcox, James Bruce Ballard
  • Patent number: 6187328
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for detecting and controlling termites. The invention uses a tubular body with a triangular cross section to hold a cellulose bait impregnated with a slow acting toxicant. The tubular body is placed partly in the ground so that the length of the tubular body is along the surface of the ground. The top of the tubular body is transparent so that one can easily view the bait through the top of the tubular body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: James Bruce Ballard, Elleen Patricia Mc Gorman
  • Patent number: 6071529
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for controlling termites. The invention provides a more attractive and durable termite bait by providing a thin flat block of wood with grooves and impregnating the surface of the wood with a slow acting toxicant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: James Bruce Ballard, Sherman H. Trimm
  • Patent number: 5937571
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for controlling termites. The invention provides a tamper resistant bait station, which uses a cellulose bait impregnated with a slow acting toxicant and readily allows entry of termite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: William Francis Megargle, John Ernest Milliner, Michael Dea Andis, P. David Simcox, James Bruce Ballard
  • Patent number: 5927001
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for detecting and controlling termites. The invention uses a tubular body with a triangular cross section to hold a cellulose bait impregnated with a slow acting toxicant. The tubular body is placed partly in the ground so that the length of the tubular body is along the surface of the ground. The top of the tubular body is transparent so that one can easily view the bait through the top of the tubular body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: James Bruce Ballard, Elleen Patricia Mc Gorman
  • Patent number: 5875586
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus dispensing a liquid bait in a refillable manner. The invention provides a transparent bait station in which is mounted to a structure. A liquid bait is injected into the bait station to initially fill and then refill the bait station. The bait is a slow acting toxicant and attractant. The bait station is formed to allow access by bugs, but not by larger animals. The bait station is also able to protect the bait from wind and rain. The bait station prevents leakage of the toxicant if the bait station is tumbled or placed in an incorrect position. The bait station is able to hold two different liquid baits, which may be two different poisons, or a poison and an attractant. An embodiment of the bait station provides a series of inner walls to minimize the leakage of liquid bait, if the liquid bait station is tumbled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Inventors: James Bruce Ballard, Elleen P. McGorman
  • Patent number: 5695776
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for controlling termites. The invention provides a more attractive and durable termite bait by providing a thin flat block of wood with grooves and impregnating the surface of the wood with a slow acting toxicant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: James Bruce Ballard, Sherman H. Trimm
  • Patent number: 5693331
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus dispensing a liquid bait in a refillable manner. The invention provides a transparent bait station in which is mounted to a structure. A liquid bait is injected into the bait station to initially fill and then refill the bait station. The bait is a slow acting toxicant and attractant. The bait station is formed to allow access by bugs, but not by larger animals. The bait station is also able to protect the bait from wind and rain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventor: James Bruce Ballard