Abstract: The present invention is directed to a point-of-use water treatment system (WTS) unit (20) for filtering and treating contaminants in water. WTS unit (20) may include a first primary coil (74) located in a base unit (22) which inductively power a secondary treatment device such as a UV lamp assembly (24). A filter assembly (26) is used which has a filter block (90) and an inner sleeve (92) which extends inside filter block (90). Inner sleeve (92) defines a chamber in which the secondary treatment device (24) may be disposed. First and second valves and seals may be interposed between the filter assembly (26), secondary treatment device (24) and base unit (22) to allow the filter assembly (26) and secondary treatment device (24) to be independently replaceable. Secondary treatment device (24) may be a lamp assembly (24) which includes a condensing element (84) to condense mercury in a bulb in the arc path between filaments (444).

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to compositions for use in machine dishwashers to facilitate the cleaning of dishes and the like. More particularly, the present invention relates to compositions, which reduce the dissolution of ions from glass surfaces on articles cleaned in machine dishwashers.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting soil redeposition on fabric stained by one or more quaternary compounds by providing a sulfonated material in an effective amount to a wash liquor. The sulfonated material includes water-soluble sulfonated polymers. Generally, the sulfonated material is incorporated with a laundry detergent to provide a use level of about 30 ppm to about 300 ppm in the wash liquor.

Abstract: A composition is provided that includes carotenoid extracts derived from a plurality of natural sources. Carotenoids are extracted from natural sources such as palm fruit, algae and marigold flowers and combined in a single product. The product may include carriers such as yellow bees wax, soybean oil and lecithin and may be in a form suitable for oral ingestion.

Abstract: A monohydric alcohol-free, transparent, moisturizing bar soap having a high humectant solvent content. The formulation includes: (i) from about 38% to about 96% of one or more humectant solvents and (ii) from about 3% to about 20% of insoluble and/or soluble fatty acid soaps, with at least about 3% insoluble fatty acid soap. The weight ratio of humectant solvent to insoluble fatty acid soap ranges from about 3:1 to about 23:1. The bar soap has a standardized wear rate of less than about 15% and a hardness of from about 30 to about 100 hardness units. The transparent solid bar soap may be manufactured by a “hot pour” process with conventional batch mixing equipment designed for relatively moderate temperatures; accordingly, the bar soap may be packaged for final consumer use in the mold in which it was formed.

Abstract: A method of increasing the concentration of caffeic acid derivatives, such as cichoric acid, and the concentration of alkylamides, such as tetraene alkylamides, in Echinacea plant postharvest; and a composition, having increased amounts of these phytochemicals per gram of plant material. The method includes the following steps: (1) harvesting a plant having caffeic acid derivatives and alkylamides; (2) separating the plant into fragments; and (3) storing the separated fragments in refrigerated conditions at a controlled relative humidity which prevents wilting and microbial decay. The raw plant material obtained from this process can be used alone or in combination with other nutrients in a medicine or dietary supplement.

Abstract: An oil-free cosmetic composition comprising a plasticizer, a glycol, a metal soap, pigment, and water is provided. The cosmetic composition is preferably in the form of a stick.

Abstract: A monohydric alcohol-free, transparent, moisturizing bar soap having a high humectant solvent content. The formulation includes: (i) from about 38% to about 96% of one or more humectant solvents and (ii) from about 3% to about 20% of insoluble and/or soluble fatty acid soaps, with at least about 3% insoluble fatty acid soap. The weight ratio of humectant solvent to insoluble fatty acid soap ranges from about 3:1 to about 23:1. The bar soap has a standardized wear rate of less than about 15% and a hardness of from about 30 to about 100 hardness units. The transparent solid bar soap may be manufactured by a “hot pour” process with conventional batch mixing equipment designed for relatively moderate temperatures; accordingly, the bar soap may be packaged for final consumer use in the mold in which it was formed.

Abstract: A coffee maker having interchangeable carafes, a serial heating system, and a centrifugal brewing system. The coffee maker includes a glass carafe and a thermal carafe, either of which interchangeably fits within a carafe cavity. The presence of the glass carafe activates a heating element positioned under the carafe. The thermal carafe does not. The centrifugal brewing system includes a showerhead for distributing water at radially spaced locations over a rotating grounds basket. The control for the serial heating system activates and deactivates the heating element to allow for heat transfer between heated and unheated portions of the water. In an alternative embodiment including a batch water heating system, the coffee maker includes a modular distributor secured to the bottom of the water heating vessel by a hand-actuated bayonet mount for easy cleaning or replacement.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a point-of-use water treatment system unit. The unit includes a filter housing assembly having a filter tank assembly and a closure which utilizes a handle and cammed reciprocating lock blades to secure the closure to the filter tank assembly. A UV tank assembly includes a planar baffle plate and a vaned baffle plate to induce plug flow about a UV lamp assembly. A UV lamp assembly is used which simultaneously electrically and sealingly mounts to a UV tank assembly and electrical cap assembly using a bayonet mount. A bi-planar manifold assembly is used to interconnect components of the WTS unit and to provide an envelope for accommodating a water pipe assembly. The bi-planar manifold assembly enhances the compactness of the design of the WTS unit. Also, a support plate is disclosed which provides support to subcomponents of the WTS unit while also dissipating heat from a UV tank assembly.

Abstract: A dietary supplement and method for supporting and maintaining normal prostrate gland function is described. The dietary supplement of the present invention provides a unique combination of herbal extracts including saw palmetto, pumpkin seed, and nettle root, which synergistically combine to help maintain prostrate gland health. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the dietary supplement includes about 5% to about 25% by weight saw palmetto oil extract, about 12% to about 32% by weight pumpkin seed oil extract, and about 1% to about 21% by weight nettle root extract.

Abstract: An plant protecting composition comprising a biocide component and an adjuvant component wherein the adjuvant component includes at least one surfactant selected from the group consisting of topped alcohol alkoxylates and peaked alcohol alkoxylates and combinations thereof in combination with a conventional alcohol alkoxylate.

Abstract: A particulate co-processed composition that includes a botanical plant, microcrystalline cellulose and calcium carbonate. The botanical plant is selected from the group consisting of grains, plants, roots, and mixtures thereof. The co-processed composition is particularly useful in the manufacture of vitamins and food supplements. The co-processed composition is prepared by forming a slurry of the botanical plant, microcrystalline cellulose, and calcium carbonate and then drying the slurry to yield a particulate product.

Abstract: A cleaning composition includes ingredients useful for formulating laundry and cleaning compositions selected from the group consisting of cationic or nonionic fabric softening agents, detersive surfactants, builders, bleaching compounds, polymeric soil release agents, dye transfer inhibiting agents, polymeric dispersing agents, suds suppressors, optical brighteners, chelating agents, fabric softening clays, anti-static agents, and mixtures thereof; an enzyme; a perfume; and an effective amount of a stabilizer to provide an enhanced perfume effect. The stabilizer is selected from the group of antioxidants, reducing agents, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A process for producing an Echinacea powder having an increased amount of the cichoric acid present in the harvested Echinacea plant material. The process includes the following steps: 1) milling the harvested Echinacea plant material to reduce the particle size, 2) blanching the milled plant material, 3) recovering the juice from the blanched material, 4) concentrating the juice to have at least about a 20% soluble solids content, and 5) drying the juice to produce the Echinacea powder having a moisture content of less than about 8%. The blanching step enhances the juice recovery from the Echinacea plant material. The Echinacea powder can be tableted or combined with other nutrients in a dry supplement form.

Abstract: This invention provides a nutritional supplement containing docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), antioxidants and anthocyanosides. The supplement is useful for improving night vision acuity, field of vision and adaptation to light.