Patents Assigned to Amway Corporation
  • Detergent composition containing discrete whitening agent particles
    Patent number: 5714450
    Abstract: A powdered laundry detergent is provided with discrete whitening agent particles that do not adversely affect the bulk appearance of the detergent during storage. The detergent includes from about 5% to about 80% of an inorganic carrier, from about 1% to about 90% of a detergent surfactant, and up to about 30% of the discrete whitening agent particles. The whitening agent particles include a whitening agent and a surfactant. The surfactant for the whitening agent particle includes those anionics, nonionics, zwitterionics, ampholytics, cationics, and mixtures thereof that are solids in a temperature range of from about 32.degree. F. (0.degree.C.) to about 180.degree. F. (82.degree. C.).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: Amway Corporation
    Inventor: Steven J. Brouwer
  • Whitening agent particle composition
    Patent number: 5714452
    Abstract: An whitening agent particle includes a whitening agent and a surfactant, wherein the surfactant is selected from the group consisting of those anionics, nonionics, zwitterionics, ampholytics, cationics, and mixtures thereof that are solids in a temperature range of from about 32.degree. F. (0.degree.C.) to about 180.degree. F. (82.degree. C). The particle may be added to a powder detergent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: Amway Corporation
    Inventor: Steven J. Brouwer
  • Process for making discrete whitening agent particles
    Patent number: 5714456
    Abstract: A process for preparing discrete whitening agent particles that includes the steps of providing a whitening agent, admixing a surfactant that is a solid in a temperature range of from about 32.degree. F. (0.degree. C.) to about 180.degree. F. (82.degree. C.) with the whitening agent to form a substantially homogenous mass, and forming the mixture into discrete particles. The particles are preferably formed by extruding the homogeneous mass through an extruder at an elevated temperature. The particles may be added to a powder detergent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: Amway Corporation
    Inventor: Michael J. Wint
  • Powder detergent composition and method of making
    Patent number: 5714451
    Abstract: A powdered laundry detergent is provided with (a) a powder laundry detergent base that includes an inorganic carrier and a surfactant and (b) post-added acidulant and discrete whitening agent particles to provide a detergent having improved cool water solubility with bulk color deterioration caused by whitening agents being minimized. The detergent includes from about 5% to about 80% of an inorganic carrier, from about 1% to about 90% of a detergent surfactant, up to about 15% of an acidulant and up to about 30% of the discrete whitening agent particles. The acidulant is selected from the group of acids that in an acid form are soluble in water in an amount not greater than about 0.7% by weight at 25.degree. C. and in a salt form are soluble in water at least in an amount of about 15% by weight at 25.degree. C. The whitening agent particles include a whitening agent and a surfactant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: Amway Corporation
    Inventors: Steven J. Brouwer, Michael J. Wint
  • Home water purification system with filter end of life monitor
    Patent number: 5698091
    Abstract: A point of use water purification system for home use is provided comprising a carbon block filter housed in a self-contained disposable pressure vessel for removing particulates and organic contaminants from water. The filter is provided with a pore-size distribution, a binder and a flow path which optimizes filtration performance and enhances microbiological kill rates obtained in a source of radiant energy which is used to kill microorganisms in the filtered water. The source of radiant energy comprises an ultraviolet discharge lamp having an elongate central axis and a diverter for providing a spiral plug flow of water about the discharge lamp. A flow regulator adjusts flow through the system for varying line pressure conditions to ensure adequate exposure of microorganisms to ultraviolet energy. A lamp control circuit conserves power and optimizes ultraviolet output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Assignee: Amway Corporation
    Inventors: Roy W. Kuennen, Robin M. Dykhouse, Dennis J. Kool, Ronald C. Markham, Bradley J. Pippel, Dennis E. Kidd, Merlin G. Tiede
  • Apparatus for demonstrating a residential point of use water treatment system
    Patent number: 5693226
    Abstract: An apparatus for demonstrating a residential point of use water treatment system includes a nipple having a first end and an outlet end, and a tee having an inlet branch, a suction branch, and an outlet branch, where the outlet branch includes structure for receiving the first end of the nipple. A nozzle is arranged in fluid communication with the inlet branch, suction branch, and a first end of the nipple. The apparatus also includes an influent hose for transporting influent to the inlet branch of the tee, a suction hose for transporting contaminant to the suction branch of the tee, and an effluent hose for transporting effluent from the outlet end of the nipple to the water treatment system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: Amway Corporation
    Inventor: Dennis J. Kool
  • Brassica vegetable supplement and process for manufacture
    Patent number: 5686108
    Abstract: A brassica vegetable tablet contains at least 50 ug of sulforaphane and a maximum of 50 ug of sulforaphane-nitrile. A process for producing a brassica vegetable product includes inactivating endogenous myrosinase enzyme in a brassica vegetable and thereafter blending the vegetable with exogenous myrosinase enzyme. The preferred process may include steam blanching as the method of inactivating the endogenous myrosinase enzyme. The preferred process may also include horseradish root as the source of exogenous myrosinase enzyme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Assignee: Amway Corporation
    Inventors: Donald J. Pusateri, William C. Chiang, Richard E. A. Letiz, Phelicia M. Sperrazzo
  • Fabric finishing stiffening composition
    Patent number: 5645751
    Abstract: A ready-to-use fabric composition and a fabric finish concentrate composition are disclosed as well as a method of providing a stiffness to a fabric. The compositions comprise water, a water soluble polymer that casts a clear, continuous film from aqueous solution and a film-compatible silicone ironing aid/lubricant that in combination dries on clothes or textiles as a colorless and transparent, flexible film. Optionally, a preservative and, in some instances other ingredients such as fragrances and dyes may be added for aesthetic purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: Amway Corporation
    Inventor: Kalliopi S. Haley
  • Powdered composition exhibiting increased liquid surfactant loading for free flowing powder detergents
    Patent number: 5635467
    Abstract: A granular, powdered detergent comprising a blend of first and second components, said first component comprising a first portion of a flowable powder detergent builder with a liquid surfactant, and an effective amount of a finely divided barrier particle material and a second component comprising a second portion of flowable powder detergent builder, such that the first portion of detergent builder comprises from about 10% to about 90% of the total amount of detergent builder in the resulting composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: Amway Corporation
    Inventor: David S. Staley
  • Electronic driver for water treatment system UV bulb
    Patent number: 5611918
    Abstract: A driver or ballast for the ultraviolet bulb of a water treatment system. The driver includes a step-up transformer and a feedback oscillator connected between the secondary and the primary of the transformer. The secondary of the transformer also is selectably connected through one of two different capacitor compensators depending on water flow through the system. In a low intensity mode, the current and the power factor output of the driver are relatively low--preferably just enough to keep the bulb filaments energized. In a high intensity mode, the current and the power factor are relatively high to power the bulb at a relatively high efficiency. The driver operates at a relatively low DC voltage. A voltage converter selected as function of the local line voltage converts the AC line voltage to the necessary DC voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: Amway Corporation
    Inventor: Ronald C. Markham
  • Flip-top container with integral handles
    Patent number: 5584430
    Abstract: A flip-top paperboard container with (a) a bowling-grip-type handle in the top wall for removing individual containers from multiple container shipping cases and for carrying the container before it is opened, and (b) a side handle in the rear wall for carrying the container after it is opened. The bowling grip handle includes a finger opening and a thumb opening. The thumb opening is located toward the rear of the top wall so that, when desired, the side handle and thumb opening can be grasped simultaneously by a single hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignee: Amway Corporation
    Inventor: Patrick E. Mulry
  • Food storage container lid
    Patent number: D379133
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignees: Rubbermaid Incorporated, Amway Corporation
    Inventors: Richard B. Ahern, Jr., Derek Campbell, Maaike Evers, Debra A. Fritsch, Norio Fujikawa, David Gresham, Paul J. Kudirka, Mark Metzler, Donald J. Staufenberg, Michael Sullivan
  • Flip-top carton
    Patent number: D379759
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Assignee: Amway Corporation
    Inventor: Patrick E. Mulry
  • Vitamin tablet
    Patent number: D384410
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Assignee: Amway Corporation
    Inventors: Michael K. Hessom, Tresa D. Sue
  • Air treatment unit with removable feet therefor
    Patent number: D388510
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Assignee: Amway Corporation
    Inventors: Bradley G. Rick, Jonathan Guerra, Seiji Murakami, Kenichi Touma
  • Coffee maker
    Patent number: D390061
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: Amway Corporation
    Inventors: Steve O. Mork, Jason E. Short, Ronald J. Vish
  • Coffee maker and carafe
    Patent number: D391439
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: Amway Corporation
    Inventors: Steve O. Mork, Ronald J. Vish, Jason E. Short
  • Combined container and cap
    Patent number: D391857
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignee: Amway Corporation
    Inventor: Trevor Fiore
  • Combined jar and closure
    Patent number: D392192
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Amway Corporation
    Inventor: Trevor Fiore
  • Carafe
    Patent number: D393174
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Amway Corporation
    Inventors: Steve O. Mork, Ronald J. Vish, Jason E. Short