Abstract: A serving utensil, which in a preferred embodiment is in the form of an ice cream scoop that can be heated in a conventional or home microwave oven to facilitate scooping a frozen confection from a container. The serving utensil includes bowl portion formed from a substantially rigid material that becomes heated when subjected to microwave radiation in a conventional microwave oven and handle portion, attached to the bowl portion, formed from a substantially rigid material that substantially restricts the absorption of microwave energy. The handle portion includes a recess in its upper side approximate the bowl portion adapted to receive a user's thumb therein and a transverse groove in its underside, longitudinally aligned with the recess and adapted to receive a user's index finger therein.

Abstract: A method for serving a frozen confection includes the steps of: (a) providing a utensil including a bowl portion formed from a substantially rigid material that becomes heated when subjected to microwave radiation in a conventional microwave oven and including a handle portion attached to the bowl portion, formed from a substantially rigid material that substantially restricts the absorption of microwave energy; (b) subjecting the utensil to microwave energy for a predetermined period of time, so that the bowl portion becomes heated; and (c) manually gripping the handle portion of the utensil to scoop the frozen confection with the heated bowl portion.

Abstract: A landscape timber connecting system for use with landscape timber or the like includes first and second interlocking members. The first and second members each have a bracket shaped to engage an end of a first landscape timber, and in a preferred embodiment, a hinge component. The hinge components are adapted to align with each other and form a channel along a common, substantially vertical pivot axis. A hinge pin shaped to be inserted in the channel along the common pivot axis and extend downwardly into ground beneath the system such that the first and second members can be pivotally positioned relative to each other about the common pivot axis to position associated engaged landscape timbers at a selected angle relative to each other, and the hinge pin anchors and fixes the system to the ground. In an alternate embodiment, the members slidably engage to form a straight, non-pivoting joint.

Abstract: A landscape timber connecting system for use with landscape timber or the like, and includes a first member and a second member. The first member having a bracket that is shaped to engage an end of a first landscape timber, and a first hinge component. The second member having a bracket that is shaped to receive an end of a second landscape timber, and a second hinge component. The second hinge component is adapted to align with the first hinge component along a common, substantially vertical pivot axis. A hinge pin is shaped to engage the first and second hinge components along the common pivot axis and extend downwardly into ground beneath the system such that the first and second members can be pivotally positioned relative to each other about the common pivot axis to position associated engaged landscape timbers at a selected angle relative to each other, and the hinge pin anchors and fixes the system to the ground.

Abstract: A tile for use with a cooking grill includes a base with top and bottom surfaces and a plurality of frusto-conical bosses extending upwardly form the top surface, each boss having a channel extending substantially vertically through the tile to the bottom surface. The channels and bosses are shaped to allow food drippings to flow through the tile such that a portion of the food drippings falling upon the top surface collect and are vaporized, and a smaller portion flows through the channel to exit the bottom surface. In a preferred embodiment, the tile includes dimples formed in its upper surface to collect drippings to vaporize and promote cooking of an associated food product.

Abstract: The invention is a trap for flying insects. The trap is designed for attracting, trapping and killing flying pests such as wasps, yellow jackets and hornets. The trap is shaped to utilize both a liquid carbohydrate bait and a solid protein bait. The trap is preferably vacuumed formed from a single piece of UV-resistant plastic material. The trap for flying insects comprises a pair of opposing side panels, a plurality of insect entrances formed in the side panels, an integrally molded central tray attached to the side panels by living hinges, an integrally molded trough formed within the central tray, and an integrated, elevated bait support extending upwardly from the trough, wherein the side panels pivot to engage each other and the bottom tray to form an enclosed volume for trapping and holding flying insects.