Abstract: A water filter system that includes a base that receives water from a faucet, where the base includes a bottom support and a vertical support transversely extending from the bottom support. The vertical support includes a visual light display having visual indicators that indicate different parameters of the filter system. A filter cartridge is seated in the base, and defines a first chamber having at least one filter element, and a second chamber in fluid communication with the first chamber. An enhancement cartridge is removably inserted in the second chamber of the filter cartridge and includes an enhancement material for adding minerals to the water. A cover having an opening is configured to slidingly engage the vertical support of the base so that the visual light display is positioned within the opening of the cover and visible to a user.

Abstract: A water filter system including a filter cartridge removably secured in a container. The filter cartridge includes a handle extending from the filter cartridge, where the handle includes at least one vent hole, so that air within the filter housing moves outwardly through the at least vent hole during filtration.

Abstract: A water filter system that includes a base that receives water from a faucet, where the base includes a bottom support and a vertical support transversely extending from the bottom support. The vertical support includes a visual light display having visual indicators that indicate different parameters of the filter system. A filter cartridge is seated in the base, and defines a first chamber having at least one filter element, and a second chamber in fluid communication with the first chamber. An enhancement cartridge is removably inserted in the second chamber of the filter cartridge and includes an enhancement material for adding minerals to the water. A cover having an opening is configured to slidingly engage the vertical support of the base so that the visual light display is positioned within the opening of the cover and visible to a user.

Abstract: A fluid treatment apparatus and related methods involving the use of replaceable treatment cartridges that include a treatment media, wherein the treatment cartridge is electrically enhanced to form regions of differing polarity within the cartridge. The treatment cartridge can include a pair of fixed polarity conductors that can be electrically connected to a power source so as to induce regions of differing polarity within the cartridge. The fluid treatment apparatus can be utilized to treat liquids including aqueous solutions as well as gases such as an air supply by exposing the fluid to the regions of differing polarity.

Abstract: A water filter cartridge is provided, including a body for receiving a supply of filter media, the body having an open upper end and an outlet having a plurality of outlet openings, and a cap configured for sealingly engaging the upper end of the body. The supply of media directly contacts an inside surface of an outlet of the body, and the outlet openings being dimensioned for retaining the media despite direct contact with the inside surface.

Abstract: A water filtration system is provided including a filter unit having a water inlet tube for receiving unfiltered water, and a water outlet tube for delivering filtered water. A pipe connector has an elongate body being connectable at one end to a faucet, and connectable at an opposite end to a water supply such that the connector delivers unfiltered water from the water supply to the filter unit via the water inlet tube, and the water is filtered and returned to the faucet via the water outlet tube. The elongate body includes a first port having a first cavity for delivering the unfiltered water to the filter unit, and a second port having a second cavity for receiving the filtered water from the filter unit. A divider wall is disposed inside the elongate body between the first and second ports for separating the filtered and unfiltered water.

Abstract: A head for a water filter system having a filter element including a three-way valve member movable between a first position, a second position, and a third position. When the valve member is in the first position, incoming water is directed to the filter element to remove sediment and impurities from the water. When the valve member is in the second position, the incoming water is blocked from passing through the filter element and the valve member. Lastly, when the valve member is in the third position, the incoming water passes through the valve member and not the filter element so that the filter element can be removed and replaced without interrupting the incoming water flow.

Abstract: A water filter system including a base configured for receiving water from a faucet and a filter cartridge connected to the base. The filter cartridge defines a peripheral opening and a first chamber having at least one filter element, and a second chamber in fluid communication with the first chamber. An enhancement cartridge is removably inserted through the peripheral opening and into the second chamber. The enhancement cartridge includes an enhancement material for adding minerals to the water and is removable from the system independently from the filter cartridge.

Abstract: A water filter cartridge is provided, including a body for receiving a supply of filter media, the body having an open upper end and an outlet having a plurality of outlet openings, and a cap configured for sealingly engaging the upper end of the body. The supply of media directly contacts an inside surface of an outlet of the body, and the outlet openings being dimensioned for retaining the media despite direct contact with the inside surface.

Abstract: A water filter system including a base configured for receiving water from a faucet and a filter cartridge connected to the base. The filter cartridge defines a peripheral opening and a first chamber having at least one filter element. and a second chamber in fluid communication with the first chamber. An enhancement cartridge is removably inserted through the peripheral opening and into the second chamber. The enhancement cartridge includes an enhancement material for adding minerals to the water and is removable from the system independently from the filter cartridge.

Abstract: A water filter system including a filter housing having a filter element for filtering impurities from water and a ventilation stack movably connected to the filter housing for adjusting a position of the stack relative to a level of the water to release air from the water trapped by the filter element during filtration.

Abstract: A water filter system including a base configured for receiving water from a faucet and a filter cartridge seated in the base. The filter cartridge defines a first chamber having at least one filter element, and a second chamber in fluid communication with the first chamber. An enhancement cartridge is removably inserted in the second chamber and includes an enhancement material for adding minerals to the water. The enhancement cartridge is removable from the system separate from the filter cartridge.

Abstract: A water filter system including a filter housing having a filter element for filtering impurities from water and a ventilation stack movably connected to the filter housing for adjusting a position of the stack relative to a level of the water to release air from the water trapped by the filter element during filtration.

Abstract: A head for a water filter system having a filter element including a three-way valve member movable between a first position, a second position, and a third position. When the valve member is in the first position, incoming water is directed to the filter element to remove sediment and impurities from the water. When the valve member is in the second position, the incoming water is blocked from passing through the filter element and the valve member. Lastly, when the valve member is in the third position, the incoming water passes through the valve member and not the filter element so that the filter element can be removed and replaced without interrupting the incoming water flow.