Abstract: A water filter cartridge assembly for fluid filtration which may be attached to, and removed from an appliance water filter manifold assembly of an appliance, typically by a push-actuated release. The water filter cartridge assembly has a filter housing, and an ingress port and egress port extending therefrom. Each of the ingress port and the egress port typically comprise a port portion having a varying radial diameter. The water filter cartridge assembly further comprises a connection assembly that is structured to establish an electrical connection between the connection assembly and a controller of the appliance. Both of said ingress and egress port have at least one aperture for the passage of fluid therethrough such that each of the at least one aperture is exposed in a direction facing away from the connection assembly.

Abstract: A water filter cartridge assembly for fluid filtration which may be attached to, and removed from an appliance water filter manifold assembly of an appliance, typically by a push-actuated release. The water filter cartridge assembly has a filter housing, and an ingress port and egress port extending therefrom. Each of the ingress port and the egress port typically comprise a port portion having a varying radial diameter. The water filter cartridge assembly further comprises a connection assembly that is structured to establish an electrical connection between the connection assembly and a controller of the appliance. Both of said ingress and egress port have at least one aperture for the passage of fluid therethrough such that each of the at least one aperture is exposed in a direction facing away from the connection assembly.

Abstract: An authentication system for authenticating a water filter cartridge at an appliance is provided. The water filter cartridge comprises a connection assembly having one or more connection devices that are structured for engaging an electrical connector of an appliance water filter manifold assembly of an appliance, to establish an electrical connection between the connection assembly and a controller of the appliance. A method of use of the water filter cartridge at the appliance comprises inserting the water filter cartridge into a receptacle of an appliance water filter manifold assembly. A method of authentication of the water filter cartridge comprises establishing an electrical communication link between a memory device of a water filter cartridge and an appliance water filter manifold assembly of the appliance, and retrieving, via the electrical communication link, a unique identifier associated with the water filter cartridge from the memory device.

Abstract: A water filter cartridge assembly for fluid filtration which may be attached to, and removed from an appliance water filter manifold assembly of an appliance, typically by a push-actuated release. The water filter cartridge assembly has a filter housing, and an ingress port and egress port extending therefrom. Each of the ingress port and the egress port typically comprise a port portion having a varying radial diameter. The water filter cartridge assembly further comprises a connection assembly that is structured to establish an electrical connection between the connection assembly and a controller of the appliance. Both of said ingress and egress port have at least one aperture for the passage of fluid therethrough such that each of the at least one aperture is exposed in a direction facing away from the connection assembly.

Abstract: An authentication system for authenticating a water filter cartridge at an appliance is provided. The water filter cartridge comprises a connection assembly having one or more connection devices that are structured for engaging an electrical connector of an appliance water filter manifold assembly of an appliance, to establish an electrical connection between the connection assembly and a controller of the appliance. A method of use of the water filter cartridge at the appliance comprises inserting the water filter cartridge into a receptacle of an appliance water filter manifold assembly. A method of authentication of the water filter cartridge comprises establishing an electrical communication link between a memory device of a water filter cartridge and an appliance water filter manifold assembly of the appliance, and retrieving, via the electrical communication link, a unique identifier associated with the water filter cartridge from the memory device.

Abstract: A wooden pallet includes a base layer, and a cargo layer. The cargo layer includes a pair of spaced apart connector boards, and a pair of spaced apart end deck boards orthogonal to the pair of connector boards. Respective ends of the pair of end deck boards overlap respective ends of the pair of connector boards. Nail plates are coupled between the respective ends of the pair of connector boards and the respective ends of the pair of end deck boards. Each nail plate has a first surface having projections extending outwards therefrom and embedded into one of the end deck boards, and a second surface opposite the first surface devoid of any projections and contacting an end of one of the connector boards. Spaced apart support blocks are between the base layer and the pair of connector boards in the cargo layer, and form a gap therebetween for receiving a lifting member.

Abstract: A pallet includes a cargo layer, a base layer and support structures coupled between. The cargo layer includes a pair of horizontally positioned outer deck boards and at least one horizontally positioned intermediate deck board therebetween. The at least one horizontally positioned intermediate deck board has opposing sidewalls, and a spaced apart openings at least partially extending through the opposing sidewalls. The pair of horizontally positioned outer deck boards have opposing sidewalls, and spaced apart openings extending through at least one of the sidewalls of each outer deck board. The spaced apart openings in each horizontally positioned outer deck board are aligned with the spaced apart openings in an adjacent sidewall of least one horizontally positioned intermediate deck board. Inserts are in the spaced apart openings.

Abstract: A pallet includes a cargo layer, a base layer and support structures coupled between. The cargo layer includes a pair of horizontally positioned outer plastic deck boards and at least one horizontally positioned intermediate plastic deck board therebetween. The at least one horizontally positioned intermediate plastic deck board has opposing sidewalls, and a spaced apart openings at least partially extending through the opposing sidewalls. The pair of horizontally positioned outer plastic deck boards have opposing sidewalls, and spaced apart openings extending through at least one of the sidewalls of each outer plastic deck board. The spaced apart openings in each horizontally positioned outer plastic deck board are aligned with the spaced apart openings in an adjacent sidewall of least one horizontally positioned intermediate plastic deck board. Inserts are in the spaced apart openings.

Abstract: A pallet includes a cargo layer, a base layer and support structures coupled between. The cargo layer includes a pair of horizontally positioned outer plastic deck boards and at least one horizontally positioned intermediate plastic deck board therebetween. The at least one horizontally positioned intermediate plastic deck board has opposing sidewalls, and a spaced apart openings at least partially extending through the opposing sidewalls. The pair of horizontally positioned outer plastic deck boards have opposing sidewalls, and spaced apart openings extending through at least one of the sidewalls of each outer plastic deck board. The spaced apart openings in each horizontally positioned outer plastic deck board are aligned with the spaced apart openings in an adjacent sidewall of least one horizontally positioned intermediate plastic deck board. Inserts are in the spaced apart openings.

Abstract: A pallet includes a cargo layer, a base layer and support structures coupled between. The cargo layer includes a pair of horizontally positioned outer deck boards and at least one horizontally positioned intermediate deck board therebetween. The at least one horizontally positioned intermediate deck board has opposing sidewalls, and a spaced apart openings at least partially extending through the opposing sidewalls. The pair of horizontally positioned outer deck boards have opposing sidewalls, and spaced apart openings extending through at least one of the sidewalls of each outer deck board. The spaced apart openings in each horizontally positioned outer deck board are aligned with the spaced apart openings in an adjacent sidewall of least one horizontally positioned intermediate deck board. Inserts are in the spaced apart openings.

Abstract: A pallet includes an upper and lower deck. The upper deck includes first joining members that project downwardly from the upper deck, with each first joining member including an outer sleeve. The lower deck includes second joining members that project upwardly from the lower deck, with second joining member including an inner sleeve. At least one of the upper and lower decks includes channels between top and bottom surfaces thereof, with each channel extending from a side edge to an opposing side edge of the corresponding deck. Sleeved reinforcing rods are in the channels. Each sleeved reinforcing rod includes a reinforcing rod having opposing ends and side surfaces therebetween, and a sleeve enclosing the side surfaces of the reinforcing rod, with there being relative movement between the sleeve and the reinforcing rod. The inner sleeves of the second joining members receive the outer sleeves of the first joining members to define a plurality of support blocks joining the upper and lower decks.

Abstract: A wooden pallet includes a base layer, and a cargo layer. The cargo layer includes a pair of spaced apart connector boards, and a pair of spaced apart end deck boards orthogonal to the pair of connector boards. Respective ends of the pair of end deck boards overlap respective ends of the pair of connector boards. Nail plates are coupled between the respective ends of the pair of connector boards and the respective ends of the pair of end deck boards. Each nail plate has a first surface having projections extending outwards therefrom and embedded into one of the end deck boards, and a second surface opposite the first surface devoid of any projections and contacting an end of one of the connector boards. Spaced apart support blocks are between the base layer and the pair of connector boards in the cargo layer, and form a gap therebetween for receiving a lifting member.

Abstract: A pallet includes an upper and lower deck. The upper deck includes first joining members that project downwardly from the upper deck, with each first joining member including an outer sleeve. The lower deck includes second joining members that project upwardly from the lower deck, with second joining member including an inner sleeve. At least one of the upper and lower decks includes channels between top and bottom surfaces thereof, with each channel extending from a side edge to an opposing side edge of the corresponding deck. Sleeved reinforcing rods are in the channels. Each sleeved reinforcing rod includes a reinforcing rod having opposing ends and side surfaces therebetween, and a sleeve enclosing the side surfaces of the reinforcing rod, with there being relative movement between the sleeve and the reinforcing rod. The inner sleeves of the second joining members receive the outer sleeves of the first joining members to define a plurality of support blocks joining the upper and lower decks.