Abstract: A water filter cartridge is provided. The water filter cartridge includes a filter housing enclosing a filtration material therein. The filtration material includes a first cavity generally surrounded by the filtration material and a second cavity formed between an interior of the housing and an exterior of the filtration material.

Abstract: A water filter cartridge is provided. The water filter cartridge includes a filter housing enclosing a filtration material therein. A port shield is connected at one end of the filter housing and disposed between the filter housing and a connector part adapted for securing the water filter cartridge to a refrigerator filter part. The port shield is provided for at least partially covering a water inlet port and a water outlet port extending at least between the connector part through the port shield and at least partially through the filter housing. The port shield at least partially encloses the water inlet and/or water outlet port therebetween and also separates the filtration material and unfiltered water within the filter housing from the portions of the water inlet and outlet port within the port shield.

Abstract: A water pitcher filter is provided. The filer includes a filter body formed from a bottom case and a top cap. The bottom case is adapted to retain filtration medium therein. The top cap includes an upper surface having an air outlet, a lower surface to engage the bottom case, a sidewall extending between the upper and lower surface and around a perimeter of the top cap, a nonwoven or net portion disposed on the sidewall and/or lower surface to allow unfiltered water to pass therethrough. The top case also includes a vent tube extending between the upper and lower surface and having a vent opening into the bottom case at the lower surface. In operation water passes through the nonwoven portion and into the bottom case where the filtration medium filters the unfiltered water and disposes filtered water into a filtered water chamber of a water pitcher.

Abstract: A filter cartridge includes a removable filter. The filter cartridge includes housing that connects to a manifold at one end and has a removable cover at another end. The removable cover is held onto the housing by a removable connector. When one desires to change the filter, the cartridge is disconnected from the manifold, the removable connector is removed, then the removable cover is removed, and then the removable filter is replaced. Next, the removable cover is put back on, then the connector is connected, and the cartridge is reconnected to the manifold.

Abstract: A reusable fluid filter system is disclosed. The fluid filter system includes a reusable fluid filter unit that encloses two or more filter elements. The reusable filter unit is removably connected to a manifold. After removing the filter unit form the manifold, the bottom portion of each filter housing may be manually removed, and each filter may be manually replaced.

Abstract: A fluid filter system is disclosed for filtering heavy metals. The filter system including a filter located outside of an appliance for removing heavy metals and a filter within the appliance that is downstream from filter from the having a filter for removing the heavy metals. The filter cartridge within the appliance holding a valve open that is on the filter head in the appliance.

Abstract: A system is disclosed that may include a first filter that is effective in removing heavy metals and a filter cartridge that is installed in an appliance for a second filter within the appliance. The second filter may not be effective for removing heavy metal from the fluid. The filter cartridge that is installed within the appliance does not need to include a filter.

Abstract: A reusable fluid filter system is disclosed. The fluid filter system includes a reusable fluid filter unit that encloses two or more filter elements. The reusable filter unit is removably connected to a manifold. After removing the filter unit form the manifold, the bottom portion of each filter housing may be manually removed, and each filter may be manually replaced.

Abstract: A filter cartridge includes a removable filter. The filter cartridge includes housing that connects to a manifold at one end and has a removable cover at another end. The removable cover is held onto the housing by a removable connector. When one desires to change the filter, the cartridge is disconnected from the manifold, the removable connector is removed, then the removable cover is removed, and then the removable filter is replaced. Next, the removable cover is put back on, then the connector is connected, and the cartridge is reconnected to the manifold.

Abstract: A reusable fluid filter system is disclosed. The fluid filter system includes a reusable fluid filter unit that encloses a filter and is removably connected to a manifold. In an embodiment, the filter unit includes an end cap that is detachable so as to replace the filter inside the filter unit. In an embodiment, the filter unit removably engages a valve in the manifold that controls flow paths in the manifold.

Abstract: A reusable fluid filter unit is disclosed. The reusable fluid filter unit encloses a filter and is removably connected to a manifold. In an embodiment, the filter unit includes an end cap that is detachable so as to replace the filter inside the filter unit. In an embodiment, the filter unit may include embossments or other structures that depress a mechanical valve in the manifold when the filter unit engages the manifold.