Abstract: In the treatment of water, an end piece is connected to a treatment cartridge housing and inserted into an appliance having bypass, inlet, and outlet valves. The end piece has an end piece wall from which an inlet fitting, outlet fitting, and protrusion extend. The inlet fittings, outlet fittings, protrusion, and cartridge housing each have a longitudinal axis. The inlet and outlet fittings have a cam surface for actuating the inlet and outlet valves, respectively. Further, the cam surfaces of the inlet and outlet fittings are angled and vectored in relation to their respective longitudinal axis. The protrusion is shaped for actuating the bypass valve.

Abstract: A cartridge for selectively dispensing an additive to water that includes a housing, a bladder disposed within the housing, and a pump connected to the housing and in fluid communication with the bladder. The bladder is configured to contain a consumable additive such as a flavor, for water. The pump is operable to selectively dispense an amount of the additive into water. The cartridge may be connected to a water filtration system such that the cartridge may dispense the additive into filtered water.

Abstract: An additive dispensing system for a refrigerator that includes a reservoir configured to contain an additive and an additive outlet in fluid communication with the reservoir. The additive dispensing system is configured to be connected to a refrigerator and is operable to selectively dispense an amount of additive to water dispensed from the refrigerator. The additive dispensing system may be connected to a water filtration system of the refrigerator such that the additive dispensing system may dispense the amount of additive into filtered water dispensed from the refrigerator.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an apparatus adapted for flexible electrical interconnection between first and second rigid circuit systems, the systems being desirably isolated thermally from each other against heat energy tending undesirably to transfer between the systems, comprising in combination, a first flexible electrical conductor extending outwardly of the first circuit system to terminate in a first end, a second flexible electrical conductor extending outwardly of the second circuit system to terminate in a second end, and a third flexible electrical conductor bridging at least the first and second ends to provide the flexible electrical interconnection between the first and second systems and characterized by low thermal conductivity relative to at least one of the first and second conductors to thermally isolate the systems. Also included are methods for providing the flexible electrical interconnection between first and second rigid circuit systems.