(19)

(11)

EP 0 958 031 A2

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 24.11.1999 Bulletin 1999/47 (21) Application number: 97928792.0 (22) Date of filing: 03.06.1997

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  B01D 46/ 00( . ) F24F 3/ 16( . ) B01D 46/ 10( . ) F24F 1/ 00( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/US1997/009525 (87) International publication number: WO 1997/047928 (18.12.1997 Gazette 1998/02)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (30) Priority: 11.06.1996 US 19960661589 11.06.1996 US 19960665004 11.06.1996 US 19960665003 11.06.1996 US 19960661604 11.06.1996 US 19960661590 11.06.1996 US 19960661375 (71) Applicant: Amway Corporation Ada, MI 49355-0001 (US)	(72) Inventors: RICK, Bradley, G. Belmont, MI 49306 (US) PIPPEL, Bradley, J. Grandville, MI 49418 (US) ABEREGG, Dale Mt. Vernon, OH 43050 (US) O'CONNOR, John, F., Jr. New Hartford, CT 06057 (US) NIEZGODA, Thomas Kentwood, MI 49508 (US) (74) Representative: Miller, James Lionel Woolverton  Kilburn & Strode, 20 Red Lion Street London WC1R 4PJ London WC1R 4PJ (GB)