Abstract: An apparatus for creating a permanent, leak-proof plastic tubing joint including a length of plastic tubing, a fitting component and a device capable of generating a local electromagnetic field. The fitting component is manufactured of a polymer containing nonpolymeric particles capable of absorbing a specific frequency of electromagnetic energy. An end of the length of plastic tubing is slidably inserted into the fitting component. When the tubing has been fully inserted, a device is activated to generate a local electromagnetic field surrounding the fitting component. The nonpolymeric particles absorb the electromagnetic energy and increase in temperature. This temperature increase causes the fitting component to begin melting at the interface with the plastic tubing while at the same time causing the end of plastic tubing to become pliable. The electromagnetic field is then removed and both the fitting component and the end of plastic tubing cool to ambient temperature.

Abstract: Improved water filtration assemblies comprise a distribution manifold, a filter adapter and a filter cartridge, wherein the filter adapter connects the distribution manifold to the filter cartridge such that one or more fluid flow pathways from the distribution manifold to the filter cartridge are established. Additionally, the filter adapters of the present disclosure can comprise a lock, which can lock or secure the filter adapter to the distribution manifold such that a user can engage and disengage a filter cartridge from the adapter without the filter adapter disengaging from the distribution manifold. Due to the presence of the filter adapter, and the lock that secures the filter adapter to the distribution manifold, a consumer can easily engage and disengage replacement filter cartridges from the filter adapter without disengaging the adapter from the manifold. In some embodiments, the adapter has an improved design configuration.

Abstract: A connector for connecting plastic tubing includes a receiver having a captured ring seal, the ring seal for compressively forming a fluid seal when in engagement with the plastic tubing; and a plurality of inward directed angled fingers disposed in the receiver for compressively engaging the tubing, a force being exertable by the fingers on the tubing, the force acting to resist withdrawal of the tubing from engagement with the fingers. A method of connecting is further included.

Abstract: A crossflow filtration system including at least one quick dry change crossflow filtration cartridge designed to rotatably interface with a manifold assembly. The quick dry change crossflow filtration cartridge can comprise a membrane element, for example an ultrafiltration membrane, microfiltration membrane, nanofiltration membrane or reverse osmosis membrane element enclosed within a housing. The quick dry change cartridge includes an inlet stream, a permeate stream and a concentrate stream. The manifold assembly includes three similar flow paths; an inlet stream, a permeate stream and a concentrate stream. When engaged, the cartridge and manifold assembly define continuous inlet flow paths, permeate flow paths and concentrate flow paths that connect across the interface. Thus, all of the connections to the water filtration system can be made onto the manifold, and the resulting connected system is compact and easy to connect.

Abstract: A water filter assembly allowing for uniform placement in refrigerators at the point of refrigerator manufacture, includes a self-contained unit, including a filter component, inlet and outlet connections, and water storage means all housed in one unit for placement, in its entirety, in the refrigerator during manufacture thereof with only a single point of inlet coupling to a refrigeration system of the refrigerator, the single point of coupling being to an internal refrigerator water supply. A method for uniform placement of a water filter assembly in refrigerators at the point of refrigerator manufacture is further included.

Abstract: An adapter assembly for adapting a wet sump filter manifold to accept quick-dry change cartridge filters. The adapter can be attached to the manifold such that spent cartridge filters can be quickly exchanged for new cartridge filters without spilling water or exposing a user to unclean materials such as scale, biofilm and other contaminants. Once the adapter is attached to the manifold, the adapter can remain continuously attached as cartridge filters are exchanged. The adapter can be designed to appropriately actuate any valves that may exist in the filter manifold and may further including additional valves that act independently or in conjunction with the cartridge filter. The adapter sealing engages both the filter manifold and the cartridge filter to isolate incoming unfiltered water from outgoing filtered water.

Abstract: A freeze resistant filter cartridge assembly, includes a filter cartridge including a filter housing and a filter media and having at least one component selected from a list of components consisting of: the filter housing being formed of an increased elasticity polyolefin polymer having elongation and glass transition properties that allow for stretching of the housing during a freezing event rather than rupturing; a sleeve having a volume of air entrapped therein within and being disposed in the interior of the filter cartridge; and the filter housing formed of a conventional polyolefin having a wall thickness great enough to resist freeze induced expansion stresses. A method of forming a freeze resistant filter cartridge assembly is further included.

Abstract: An apparatus for creating a permanent and fluid tight tube joint in a length of plastic tubing, the tubing including a terminal end, the apparatus including a manifold for receiving the plastic tubing, the manifold including structure defining a first counterbore presenting a tubing terminal end engaging face, structure defining a second counterbore presenting a seal engaging face, and the manifold further presenting a manifold coupling face. A seal is receivable within the second counterbore and a gripping element is receivable within the manifold and adapted for fixedly engaging the tubing. A retainer includes a compressive member and a retainer coupling face, the retainer compressive member receivable within the second counterbore for operably, compressively engaging the seal.

Abstract: A water filter assembly allowing for uniform placement in refrigerators at the point of refrigerator manufacture, includes a self-contained unit, including a filter component, inlet and outlet connections, and water storage means all housed in one unit for placement, in its entirety, in the refrigerator during manufacture thereof with only a single point of inlet coupling to a refrigeration system of the refrigerator, the single point of coupling being to an internal refrigerator water supply. A method for uniform placement of a water filter assembly in refrigerators at the point of refrigerator manufacture is further included.

Abstract: A connector for connecting plastic tubing includes a receiver having a captured ring seal, the ring seal for compressively forming a fluid seal when in engagement with the plastic tubing; and a plurality of inward directed angled fingers disposed in the receiver for compressively engaging the tubing, a force being exertable by the fingers on the tubing, the force acting to resist withdrawal of the tubing from engagement with the fingers. A method of connecting is further included.

Abstract: A filter assembly includes a water filter assembly having a filter element. sealingly disposed in a cartridge, and having an inlet and an outlet, the water filter assembly being substantially dripless when charged with water and disposed substantially horizontally. A manifold assembly is fluidly couplable at an inlet to a source of water to be filtered and having a filtered water outlet and having mating members for removably mating to the water filter assembly and having a mounting means attached to said manifold providing rotational travel to the water filter assembly for installation, removal and replacement of the water filter assembly. A cartridge and a water distribution manifold assembly are further included.

Abstract: A filter assembly for filtering water from an external source, the filter assembly including a manifold assembly mountable to an appliance and being in fluid communication with the external source and a cartridge assembly, the cartridge assembly being replaceably fluidly couplable to the manifold assembly, the filter assembly includes a first and a second fluid tube, the first fluid tube being fluidly couplable to the external source being an unfiltered fluid inlet, the second fluid tube being a filtered fluid outlet, the first and the second fluid tubes each having a barbed end for coupling to the manifold assembly.

Abstract: A filter assembly includes a water filter assembly having a filter element sealingly disposed in a cartridge, and having an inlet and an outlet, the water filter assembly being substantially dripless when charged with water and disposed substantially horizontally. A manifold assembly is fluidly couplable at an inlet to a source of water to be filtered and having a filtered water outlet and having mating members for removably mating to the water filter assembly and having a mounting means attached to said manifold providing rotational travel to the water filter assembly for installation, removal and replacement of the water filter assembly. A cartridge and a water distribution manifold assembly are further included.

Abstract: An apparatus for creating a permanent, leakproof plastic tubing joint including a length of plastic tubing, a fitting component and a device capable of generating a local electromagnetic field. The fitting component is manufactured of a polymer containing nonpolymeric particles capable of absorbing a specific frequency of electromagnetic energy. An end of the length of plastic tubing is slidably inserted into the fitting component. When the tubing has been fully inserted, a device is activated to generate a local electromagnetic field surrounding the fitting component. The nonpolymeric particles absorb the electromagnetic energy and increase in temperature. This temperature increase causes the fitting component to begin melting at the interface with the plastic tubing while at the same time causing the end of plastic tubing to become pliable. The electromagnetic field is then removed and both the fitting component and the end of plastic tubing cool to ambient temperature.

Abstract: A method an apparatus for filtering water dispensed by a water dispensing appliance comprises a low-profile filter cartridge releasably connected to a manifold assembly. The manifold assembly is in communication with the wafer inlet to the appliance and routs the filtered water to points of use in the appliance. The manifold assembly includes water usage sensor to monitor filter cartridge life and relay that information to the appliance, which will then alert the user when it is necessary to replace the filter. A latching mechanism is included to releasably secure the filter cartridge to the manifold assembly. A flow control valve ensures that the water circuit remains closed when the filter cartridge is removed from the manifold assembly. The cartridge and manifold assembly include registration features to ensure that reverse installation of the cartridge will not occur.

Abstract: A filter assembly for filtering water from an external source, the filter assembly includes a manifold assembly being fluidly couplable at an inlet to a source of water to be filtered and having a filtered water outlet and having a helical manifold mounting means.

Abstract: A filter assembly includes a water filter assembly having a filter element sealingly disposed in a cartridge, and having an inlet and an outlet, the water filter assembly being substantially dripless when charged with water and disposed substantially horizontally. A manifold assembly is fluidly couplable at an inlet to a source of water to be filtered and having a filtered water outlet and having mating members for removably mating to the water filter assembly and having a mounting means attached to said manifold providing rotational travel to the water filter assembly for installation, removal and replacement of the water filter assembly. A cartridge and a water distribution manifold assembly are further included.

Abstract: A filter assembly containing readily replaceable cartridge filters and a manifold that makes use of a dual seal to fluidly segregate a filtered water product from an unfiltered water source while also eliminating leakage outside the filter assembly. The dual seal consists of at least two seals located on an engagement surface on the cartridge filter. The first seal having an increased diameter over the second seal such that the second seal resides entirely within the first seal in a substantially concentric and coplanar orientation. Rotational installation of the cartridge filter brings the dual seals into physical contact with sealing surfaces located on the manifold creating a fluid tight seal.