Patent Description:
Nugget ice makers are becoming increasingly prevalent. After nugget ice is generated, the nugget ice of such ice makers may generally be held in an ice storage bin and maintained at a temperature below the freezing point of liquid water. As a result, a portion of the ice often melts prior to usage, requiring the generation of additional ice and thus consuming additional water.

To minimize costs associated with these added water usage demands, water from the melted ice may be recycled. However, because this water has previously been held in an ice storage bin, which may accumulate contaminates over time, it is desirable that the water be filtered prior to reuse. Water filters employed for a similar purpose in the past have been prone to blockages that decrease the effectiveness of the filters or prevent their operation altogether. Other filters are limited in effectiveness as a result of insufficient filtration time, for instance, due to limitations on water filter sizes when incorporated into an ice-making appliance.

Thus, a refrigeration appliance or water filter assembly having one or more features for mitigating or minimizing filtration blockages may be desirable. Additionally or alternatively, it may be advantageous to provide a refrigeration appliance or water filter assembly having a compact design that permits adequate filtration and improved efficacy in a relatively small volume.

<CIT> disclosed a refrigerator appliance and ice-making assembly. The ice-making assembly include a water recirculation line, and a deionization filter. The water recirculation line may be in fluid communication between a water reservoir and a water distribution manifold. The deionization filter may be positioned along the water recirculation line upstream from the water distribution manifold.

In one aspect of the present invention, a water filter assembly is conform to the appended claims <NUM> to <NUM>.

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims.

A full and enabling invention of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures.

As used herein, the term "or" is generally intended to be inclusive (i.e., "A or B" is intended to mean "A or B or both"). The terms "first," "second," and "third" may be used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another and are not intended to signify location or importance of the individual components. The terms "upstream" and "downstream" refer to the relative flow direction with respect to fluid flow in a fluid pathway. For example, "upstream" refers to the flow direction from which the fluid flows, and "downstream" refers to the flow direction to which the fluid flows.

While the invention is described herein in the context of a nugget ice maker within a refrigeration appliance, it should be understood that the water filtration system of this invention is not limited to such an application. Rather, the present invention may be implemented in any appliance in which filtration and recycling of water is desirable.

Turning to the figures, <FIG> illustrates a perspective view of a refrigerator <NUM>. Refrigerator appliance <NUM> includes a cabinet or housing <NUM> that extends between a top <NUM> and a bottom <NUM> along a vertical direction V, between a first side <NUM> and a second side <NUM> along a lateral direction L, and between a front side <NUM> and a rear side <NUM> along a transverse direction T. Each of the vertical direction V, lateral direction L, and transverse direction T are mutually perpendicular to one another.

Housing <NUM> defines chilled chambers for receipt of food items for storage. In particular, housing <NUM> defines one or more insulated chambers <NUM>, such as a fresh food chamber <NUM> positioned at or adjacent top <NUM> of housing <NUM> and a freezer chamber <NUM> arranged at or adjacent bottom <NUM> of housing <NUM>. As such, refrigerator appliance <NUM> is generally referred to as a bottom mount refrigerator. It is recognized, however, that the benefits of the present invention apply to other types and styles of refrigerator appliances such as, for example, a top mount refrigerator appliance or a side-by-side style refrigerator appliance. Consequently, the description set forth herein is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to be limiting in any aspect to any particular refrigerator chamber configuration.

Refrigerator doors <NUM> are rotatably hinged to an edge of housing <NUM> for selectively accessing fresh food chamber <NUM>. In addition, a freezer door <NUM> is arranged below refrigerator doors <NUM> for selectively accessing freezer chamber <NUM>. Freezer door <NUM> is coupled to a freezer drawer (not shown) slidably mounted within freezer chamber <NUM>. Refrigerator doors <NUM> and freezer door <NUM> are shown in the closed position in <FIG>.

Refrigerator appliance <NUM> also includes a delivery assembly <NUM> for delivering or dispensing liquid water or ice. Delivery assembly <NUM> includes a dispenser <NUM> positioned on or mounted to an exterior portion of refrigerator appliance <NUM> (e.g., on one of refrigerator doors <NUM>). Dispenser <NUM> includes a discharging outlet <NUM> for accessing ice and liquid water. An actuating mechanism <NUM>, shown as a paddle, is mounted below discharging outlet <NUM> for operating dispenser <NUM>. In alternative exemplary embodiments, any suitable actuating mechanism may be used to operate dispenser <NUM>. For example, dispenser <NUM> can include a sensor (such as an ultrasonic sensor) or a button rather than the paddle. A control panel <NUM> is provided for controlling the mode of operation. For example, control panel <NUM> includes a plurality of user inputs (not labeled), such as a water dispensing button and an ice-dispensing button, for selecting a desired mode of operation such as crushed or non-crushed ice.

Discharging outlet <NUM> and actuating mechanism <NUM> are an external part of dispenser <NUM> and are mounted in a dispenser recess <NUM>. Dispenser recess <NUM> is positioned at a predetermined elevation convenient for a user to access ice or water and enabling the user to access ice without the need to bend-over and without the need to open refrigerator doors <NUM>. In the exemplary embodiment, dispenser recess <NUM> is positioned at a level that approximates the chest level of a user. As described in more detail below, the dispensing assembly <NUM> may receive ice from an icemaker disposed in a sub-compartment of the fresh food chamber <NUM>.

<FIG> provides a perspective view of a door of refrigerator doors <NUM>. As shown, optional embodiments of refrigerator appliance <NUM> include a sub-compartment <NUM> defined on refrigerator door <NUM>. Sub-compartment <NUM> is often referred to as an "icebox. " Moreover, sub-compartment <NUM> extends into fresh food chamber <NUM> when refrigerator door <NUM> is in the closed position.

<FIG> provides a schematic view of certain components of refrigerator appliance <NUM>. As may be seen in <FIG>, refrigerator appliance <NUM> includes a sealed cooling system <NUM> for executing a vapor compression cycle for cooling air within refrigerator appliance <NUM> (e.g., within fresh food chamber <NUM> and freezer chamber <NUM>). Sealed cooling system <NUM> includes a compressor <NUM>, a condenser <NUM>, an expansion device <NUM>, and an evaporator <NUM> connected in fluid series and charged with a refrigerant. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, sealed cooling system <NUM> may include additional components (e.g., at least one additional evaporator, compressor, expansion device, or condenser). As an example, sealed cooling system <NUM> may include two evaporators.

Within sealed cooling system <NUM>, gaseous refrigerant flows into compressor <NUM>, which operates to increase the pressure of the refrigerant. This compression of the refrigerant raises its temperature, which is lowered by passing the gaseous refrigerant through condenser <NUM>. Within condenser <NUM>, heat exchange with ambient air takes place so as to cool the refrigerant and cause the refrigerant to condense to a liquid state.

Expansion device <NUM> (e.g., a valve, capillary tube, or other restriction device) receives liquid refrigerant from condenser <NUM>. From expansion device <NUM>, the liquid refrigerant enters evaporator <NUM>. Upon exiting expansion device <NUM> and entering evaporator <NUM>, the liquid refrigerant drops in pressure and vaporizes. Due to the pressure drop and phase change of the refrigerant, evaporator <NUM> is cool relative to fresh food and freezer chambers <NUM> and <NUM> of refrigerator appliance <NUM>. As such, cooled air is produced and refrigerates fresh food and freezer chambers <NUM> and <NUM> of refrigerator appliance <NUM>. Thus, evaporator <NUM> is a heat exchanger which transfers heat from air passing over evaporator <NUM> to refrigerant flowing through evaporator <NUM>.

Optionally, refrigerator appliance <NUM> further includes a valve <NUM> (e.g., in fluid communication with a water supply line <NUM>-<FIG>) for regulating a flow of liquid water to an icemaker <NUM>. Valve <NUM> is selectively adjustable between an open configuration and a closed configuration. In the open configuration, valve <NUM> permits a flow of liquid water to icemaker <NUM>. Conversely, in the closed configuration, valve <NUM> hinders the flow of liquid water to icemaker <NUM>.

In some embodiments, refrigerator appliance <NUM> also includes an air handler <NUM>. Air handler <NUM> may be operable to urge a flow of chilled air from an evaporator (<FIG>) (e.g., within a freezer chamber <NUM>) into icebox compartment <NUM> (e.g., via supply and return ducts or chilled air passages) and may be any suitable device for moving air. For example, air handler <NUM> can be an axial fan or a centrifugal fan.

Operation of the refrigerator appliance <NUM> can be regulated by a controller <NUM> that is operably coupled to (e.g., in electrical or wireless communication with) user interface panel <NUM>, sealed cooling system <NUM>, or various other components. User interface panel <NUM> provides selections for user manipulation of the operation of refrigerator appliance <NUM>, such as dispensing ice, chilled water, or other various options. In response to user manipulation of user interface panel <NUM> or one or more sensor signals, controller <NUM> may operate various components of the refrigerator appliance <NUM>. Controller <NUM> may include a memory and one or more microprocessors, CPUs or the like, such as general or special purpose microprocessors operable to execute programming instructions or micro-control code associated with operation of refrigerator appliance <NUM>. The memory may represent random access memory such as DRAM, or read only memory such as ROM or FLASH. In one embodiment, the processor executes programming instructions stored in memory. The memory may be a separate component from the processor or may be included onboard within the processor. Alternatively, controller <NUM> may be constructed without using a microprocessor (e.g., using a combination of discrete analog or digital logic circuitry, such as switches, amplifiers, integrators, comparators, flip-flops, AND gates, and the like) to perform control functionality instead of relying upon software.

Controller <NUM> may be positioned in a variety of locations throughout refrigerator appliance <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, controller <NUM> is located within the user interface panel <NUM>. In other embodiments, controller <NUM> may be positioned at any suitable location within refrigerator appliance <NUM>, such as for example within a fresh food chamber, a freezer door, etc. Input/output ("I/O") signals may be routed between controller <NUM> and various operational components of refrigerator appliance <NUM>. For example, user interface panel <NUM> may be in communication with controller <NUM> via one or more signal lines or shared communication buses.

As illustrated, controller <NUM> may be in communication with the various components of dispensing assembly <NUM> and may control operation of the various components. For example, the various valves, switches, etc. may be actuatable based on commands from controller <NUM>. As discussed, interface panel <NUM> may additionally be in communication with controller <NUM>. Thus, the various operations may occur based on user input or automatically through controller <NUM> instruction.

As may be seen in <FIG>, an ice making assembly <NUM>, including an icemaker <NUM> and an ice storage bin <NUM> attached to cabinet <NUM> (<FIG>) (e.g., indirectly via a door <NUM> or, alternatively, directly within a chilled chamber thereof). In optional embodiments, ice making assembly <NUM> is positioned or disposed within icebox compartment <NUM>. Alternatively, ice making assembly <NUM> may be directly mounted within a chilled chamber (e.g., freezer chamber <NUM>-<FIG>) of refrigerator appliance <NUM>, as would be understood.

In optional embodiments, an access door <NUM> is hinged to refrigerator door <NUM>. Generally, access door <NUM> may permit selective access to icebox compartment <NUM>. Any manner of suitable latch <NUM> is configured with icebox compartment <NUM> to maintain access door <NUM> in a closed position. As an example, latch <NUM> may be actuated by a consumer in order to open access door <NUM> for providing access into icebox compartment <NUM>. Access door <NUM> can also assist with insulating icebox compartment <NUM>.

It is noted that although ice making assembly <NUM> is illustrated as being at least partially enclosed within icebox compartment <NUM>, alternative embodiments may be free of any separate access door <NUM> (e.g., such that ice making assembly <NUM> is generally in open fluid communication with at least one chilled chamber of refrigerator appliance <NUM>).

In some embodiments, ice can be selectively supplied to dispenser recess <NUM> (<FIG>) from icemaker <NUM> or ice storage bin <NUM> in icebox compartment <NUM> on a back side of refrigerator door <NUM>. In additional or alternative embodiments, air from a sealed system <NUM> (<FIG>) of refrigerator appliance <NUM> may be directed into icemaker <NUM> in order to cool icemaker <NUM>. As an example, during operation of icemaker <NUM>, chilled air from the sealed system <NUM> may cool components of icemaker <NUM>, such as a casing or mold body of icemaker <NUM>, to or below a freezing temperature of liquid water. Thus, icemaker <NUM> may be an air cooled icemaker. Chilled air from the sealed system <NUM> may also cool ice storage bin <NUM>. In particular, air around ice storage bin <NUM> can be chilled to a temperature above the freezing temperature of liquid water (e.g., to about the temperature of fresh food chamber <NUM>, such that ice nuggets in ice storage bin <NUM> melt over time due to being exposed to air having a temperature above the freezing temperature of liquid water).

As a result of the melting of ice nuggets within ice storage bin <NUM>, icemaker <NUM> may require frequent operation to generate additional ice to replace the melted ice nuggets. In order to limit the amount of water usage resulting from this operation, it may be desirable to recycle the water derived from the melted ice nuggets. However, this can be complicated by the fact that the melted water within ice storage bin <NUM> may collect particulates that accumulate in ice storage bin <NUM> over time. Therefore, it may be desirable that water to be recycled is filtered prior to reuse.

In embodiments in which the temperature is chilled above the freezing temperature of liquid water, ice storage bin <NUM> includes a drain for removal of water resulting from melting ice nuggets. As shown in <FIG>, in some embodiments, the drain within ice storage bin <NUM> is in fluid communication with a water filter assembly <NUM>, delivering the water to water filter assembly <NUM> for at least partial removal of contaminates in the water. Water filter assembly <NUM> is in fluid communication with a filtered water reservoir <NUM>, where filtered water may be temporarily stored. Filtered water reservoir <NUM> may be connected to a water pump <NUM>. Water pump <NUM> may be designed to operate periodically at a fixed time interval or, alternatively, based on the volume of filtered water collected within filtered water reservoir <NUM>. Regardless of the mechanism for triggering its operation, water pump <NUM> may pump filtered water from filtered water reservoir <NUM> back to water supply line <NUM>, which supplies water to icemaker <NUM>, completing the recycling loop.

The water filter assembly <NUM> is now discussed in greater detail. In <FIG>, an exploded perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of water filter assembly <NUM> is shown. Water filter assembly <NUM> comprises a filter body <NUM>, a first filter layer <NUM>, a second filter layer <NUM>, a third filter layer <NUM>, a fourth filter layer <NUM>, and a filter body cap <NUM>. While this embodiment of water filter assembly includes four layers of filtering, in addition to the filtering capacity of filter body <NUM> (as further explained herein), the present invention is not dependent on the number of filtering layers. Thus, optional embodiments include greater or fewer filtering layers (e.g., a first filter layer <NUM>, a first filter layer <NUM> and a second filter layer <NUM>, more than four filter layers, etc.).

Filtration media <NUM> (<FIG>) reside within portions of each filter layer <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, as well as within a portion of filter body <NUM> to treat contaminates from water traveling through filtration media <NUM>. Thus, it is desirable to maximize the time that the water being filtered is exposed to filtration media <NUM>. This is accomplished, in part, by increasing the number of filtering layers used in water filter assembly <NUM>. However, this design consideration must be balanced against the practical reality of space constraints within the refrigerator <NUM> (<FIG>) or other appliances. In certain embodiments, four filter layers may be appropriate, such as shown in the exemplary embodiment of <FIG>. The type of filtration media <NUM> is not intended to be limiting. Rather, resin or other suitable absorption-based filtration media <NUM> may be appropriate.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate exemplary embodiments of filter body <NUM>. Filter body <NUM> may provide a housing for all of the elements of water filter assembly <NUM> (e.g., with the exception of filter body cap <NUM>). As shown in the embodiment of <FIG>, filter body <NUM> includes one or more vertical side walls <NUM> extending upward from a floor <NUM> and around the perimeter of filter body <NUM>. The vertical side walls <NUM> and floor <NUM> together define (e.g., at least in part) a cavity <NUM> within which many of the components of filter assembly <NUM> may be contained. Cavity <NUM> may be defined along a vertical plane as a filtered cavity portion <NUM>, wherein filtration media <NUM> resides (<FIG>) for filtering water that passes therethrough, and an unfiltered cavity portion <NUM>, wherein no such filtration media <NUM> is present.

In operation of water filter assembly <NUM>, water from melted ice in ice storage bin <NUM> may be introduced to water filter assembly <NUM> via unfiltered cavity portion <NUM> and then directed to filtered cavity portion <NUM>. Therefore, in some embodiments, such as shown in the embodiments of <FIG> and <FIG>, unfiltered cavity portion <NUM> is extended further (e.g., along a horizontal direction, such as transverse direction T or lateral direction L) from a vertical geometric center plane of filter body <NUM> than is filtered cavity portion <NUM> to facilitate delivery of the water. In some such embodiments, filter body cap <NUM> is connected to a top of vertical side walls <NUM> and covers only the filtered cavity portion <NUM> of filter body <NUM>. Thus filter body cap <NUM> may contain filtration media <NUM> within water filter assembly <NUM>, prevent unintended introduction of particulates into filtered cavity portion <NUM> of filter body <NUM>, or allow for transmission of water from ice storage bin <NUM> to unfiltered cavity portion <NUM> of filter body <NUM>. In other embodiments, however, unfiltered cavity portion <NUM> need not be extended any more than filtered cavity portion <NUM>, in which case filter body cap <NUM> may be connected to a top of vertical side walls <NUM> and define an opening over unfiltered cavity portion <NUM> to accommodate the introduction of water into filter body <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, an exemplary embodiment of filter body <NUM> further includes an outlet hole <NUM> defined in floor <NUM> of filter body <NUM>. Outlet hole <NUM> may be the point of exit for water traveling through water filter assembly <NUM>. Outlet hole <NUM> may be located within the unfiltered cavity portion <NUM> of filter body <NUM> in order to prevent filtration media <NUM> from clogging the outlet hole <NUM> and to further ensure that filtration media <NUM> remains within water filter assembly <NUM>.

Some embodiments further include a fluid outlet valve <NUM> attached to floor <NUM> of filter body <NUM> and, for example, covering outlet hole <NUM> (<FIG>). In certain embodiments, fluid outlet valve <NUM> is made of a rubber or other elastomeric material and comprises a pocket, at the bottom of which is a four-lipped cross-cut valve. In some such embodiments, water collects within the pocket and the weight of the water accumulation opens the valve <NUM>, allowing water to drip through. The valve <NUM> may create a film over the cross-cut opening to prevent air from entering through the opening. The fluid outlet valve <NUM> is not limited to this embodiment, however, and valve <NUM> may be any suitable valve for permitting the flow of water and sealing the water filter assembly <NUM> from outside air.

The filter body <NUM> may further include a plurality of vertical barriers <NUM> extending from a top side <NUM> of floor <NUM>. Vertical barriers <NUM> may define a plurality of flow paths <NUM> that the water may travel through within filter body <NUM>. In some embodiments, such as those illustrated in <FIG>, vertical barriers <NUM> may create a labyrinth or maze-like structure defining two flow paths <NUM> through which water may travel. As shown in <FIG>, these two flow paths <NUM> may be separated from one another until they converge at outlet hole <NUM> of filter body <NUM>. Advantageously, having multiple flow paths significantly reduces the likelihood that water filter assembly <NUM> will become clogged, as even if one flow path <NUM> does clog, water filter assembly <NUM> may continue to operate using another flow path <NUM>.

Vertical barriers <NUM> may further include a plurality of cutouts <NUM> defined in an upper portion of vertical barriers <NUM> (<FIG>). Each of the plurality of cutouts <NUM> may define an alternative flow path <NUM> permitting water therethrough at the height of the cutouts <NUM>. Thus, if a portion of flow path <NUM> becomes blocked or if filters layers (e.g., one or more of layers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>) are misaligned, water may collect until it reaches the height of cutouts <NUM> and spill over cutouts <NUM> in vertical barriers <NUM> via alternative flow path <NUM> to bypass the blockage (e.g., either further along the same flow path <NUM> or along a separate flow path <NUM>, depending on the location of the blockage and cutouts <NUM>).

Water filter assembly <NUM> further includes a first filter layer <NUM>. First filter layer <NUM> is mounted within cavity <NUM> of filter body <NUM> and rests atop vertical barriers <NUM> of filter body <NUM> (<FIG>). As shown in <FIG>, at least a portion of first filter layer <NUM> is present within filtered cavity portion <NUM> of filter body <NUM>. Additionally, at least a portion of first filter layer <NUM> is present within unfiltered cavity portion <NUM> of filter body <NUM>. First filter layer <NUM> includes a first filter floor <NUM> having a top side <NUM>, a plurality of first filter outlet holes <NUM>, and a plurality of first filter vertical barriers <NUM> (e.g., as show in <FIG>, showing a perspective view of an embodiment of first filter layer <NUM>).

First filter vertical barriers <NUM> extend from top side <NUM> of first filter floor <NUM> and define a plurality of first filter flow paths <NUM>. The embodiment of <FIG> illustrates an embodiment in which first filter vertical barriers <NUM> define two first filter flow paths <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, each of the first filter flow paths <NUM> originate from the portion of first filter layer <NUM> present within unfiltered cavity portion <NUM> of filter body <NUM>. Additionally, each first filter flow path <NUM> may have an end <NUM>, where first filter vertical barriers <NUM> provide no additional path for the flow of water (i.e., a dead end). Discrete first filter outlet holes <NUM> are defined at each end <NUM> of each first filter flow path <NUM> to permit water to drop to the floor <NUM> of the filter body <NUM> below it.

Water filter assembly <NUM> may further include a second filter layer <NUM>. Second filter layer <NUM> may be mounted within cavity <NUM> of filter body <NUM>. In some embodiments, second filter layer <NUM> rests atop first filter layer <NUM> (<FIG>). In certain embodiments, such as the exemplary embodiment shown in <FIG>, at least a portion of second filter layer <NUM> is present within filtered cavity portion <NUM> of filter body <NUM>. In additional or alternative embodiments, at least a portion of second filter layer <NUM> is present within unfiltered cavity portion <NUM> of filter body <NUM>. Second filter layer <NUM> may further include a second filter floor <NUM> having a top side <NUM>, a second filter outlet hole <NUM>, and a plurality of second filter vertical barriers <NUM> (e.g., as shown in <FIG>, showing a perspective view of an embodiment of second filter layer <NUM>).

Second filter vertical barriers <NUM> may extend from top side <NUM> of second filter floor <NUM> and define a plurality of second filter flow paths <NUM>. The embodiment of <FIG> illustrates an embodiment in which second filter vertical barriers <NUM> define two second filter flow paths <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, each of the second filter flow paths <NUM> originate from the portion of second filter layer <NUM> present within filtered cavity portion <NUM> of filter body <NUM> and maintain a separation until they converge at second filter outlet hole <NUM>, where water is permitted to drop to the first filter floor <NUM> of first filter layer <NUM> below it.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the plurality of first filter vertical barriers <NUM> and the plurality of second filter vertical barriers <NUM> may be identical in quantity and arrangement. Nonetheless, differences may exist in the location of first filter outlet holes <NUM> and second filter outlet hole <NUM>, the direction of their respective first filter and second filter flow paths <NUM> and <NUM>, or the order in which filter outlet holes <NUM> and second filter outlet hole <NUM> are stacked within filter body <NUM> (e.g., along the vertical direction). The commonalities between first filter vertical barriers <NUM> and second filter vertical barriers <NUM> may advantageously decreases the cost of production since a single mold may be used to create both the first filter layer <NUM> and the second filter layer <NUM>. This common structure may also be employed with regard to third filter layer <NUM> and fourth filter layer <NUM>, which are addressed below, or any other filter layer that may be included within filter body <NUM>.

In certain embodiments, water filter assembly <NUM> may further include a third filter layer <NUM> mounted within filter body <NUM>. In some embodiments, third filter layer <NUM> rests atop second filter layer <NUM> (<FIG>). Third filter layer <NUM> may be structurally identical to first filter layer <NUM> in all material respects.

Optionally, water filter assembly <NUM> may further include a fourth filter layer <NUM> mounted within filter body <NUM> (e.g., resting atop third filter layer <NUM>-<FIG>). Fourth filter layer <NUM> may be structurally identical to second filter layer <NUM> in all material respects.

While the embodiment of water filter assembly <NUM> in <FIG> includes four filter layers, it should be understood that any suitable number of layers may be employed. Where additional filter layers are desirable, one of ordinary skill will recognize that structurally identical copies of first filter layer <NUM> and second filter layer <NUM> could be stacked alternately atop one another within filter body <NUM>. It should be further noted that, by employing this alternating pattern, the position of the outlet holes on a given filter layer corresponds to the starting point of the flow path on the filter layer below it (compare <FIG> and <FIG>), thus enabling the water being filtered to snake back and forth as it travels downward from layer to layer.

Referring now to <FIG>, water filter assembly <NUM> may optionally include one or more perforated dividers <NUM>. Each perforated divider may define a plurality of perforations <NUM> sized to permit the passage of water therethrough while preventing passage of filtration media <NUM> therethrough. A perforated divider <NUM> may be mounted on floor <NUM> of filter body <NUM>; another perforated divider <NUM> may be mounted on first filter floor <NUM> of first filter layer <NUM>; yet another perforated divider <NUM> may be mounted on second filter floor <NUM> of second filter layer <NUM>; and so on, with a perforated divider <NUM> on each filter layer. Further, as shown in the embodiment of <FIG>, for each perforated divider <NUM>, it is mounted between filtered cavity portion <NUM> of filter body <NUM> and unfiltered cavity portion <NUM> of filter body <NUM>, thus preventing filtration media <NUM> contained, on any given layer, within the filtered cavity portion <NUM> of filter body <NUM> from passing into the unfiltered cavity portion <NUM> of filter body <NUM>, while permitting the flow of water to continue.

In some embodiments, water filter assembly <NUM> includes a plurality of standpipes <NUM> on each filter layer, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG> (e.g., a plurality of standpipes <NUM> on first filter layer <NUM>, a plurality of standpipes <NUM> on second filter layer <NUM>, etc.). As shown in the embodiment of <FIG>, each standpipe <NUM> extends upward to a predetermined height from the floor of filter layer on which it resides (e.g., first filter floor <NUM> for first filter layer <NUM>, second filter floor <NUM> for second filter layer <NUM>, etc.). In the event of a blockage in a flow path of a given filter layer, water will tend to accumulate and rise. If the water level reaches the predetermined height of standpipe <NUM>, standpipe <NUM> provides an overflow path allowing the water to drain from that filter layer to the next lowest filter layer, or to filter body <NUM> in the case of a blockage on first filter layer <NUM>.

As shown in the embodiment of <FIG>, it is desirable that water filter assembly <NUM> further include a plurality of overflow caps <NUM>, one mounted on top of each standpipe <NUM>. Each overflow cap <NUM> may further include an overflow cap top <NUM>, an overflow cap side <NUM> connected to overflow cap top <NUM>, and an overflow cap notch <NUM>. Overflow cap notch <NUM> may be disposed vertically within overflow cap side <NUM>, permitting overflow water to pass through overflow cap notch <NUM>, but preventing passage of filtration media <NUM>. Advantageously, the described standpipes <NUM> or overflow caps <NUM> may permit the passage of water while preventing filtration media <NUM> from being displaced between layers.

Claim 1:
A water filter assembly (<NUM>) for a refrigerator, the water filter assembly (<NUM>) comprising:
a filter body (<NUM>) comprising
a vertical side wall (<NUM>),
a floor (<NUM>) having a top side (<NUM>), the floor (<NUM>) and the vertical side wall (<NUM>) together defining a cavity (<NUM>), wherein the cavity (<NUM>) is defined along a vertical plane as a filtered cavity portion (<NUM>) and an unfiltered cavity portion (<NUM>),
a filtration media (<NUM>) residing within a portion of filter body (<NUM>) to treat contaminates from water traveling through filtration media (<NUM>),
an outlet hole (<NUM>) defined in the floor (<NUM>) of the filter body (<NUM>),
a plurality of vertical barriers (<NUM>) extending from the top side (<NUM>) of the floor (<NUM>), the plurality of vertical barriers (<NUM>) defining a plurality of flow paths (<NUM>) that converge at the outlet hole (<NUM>), and
a plurality of cutouts (<NUM>) defined in an upper portion of the plurality of vertical barriers (<NUM>), each cutout of the plurality of cutouts (<NUM>) defining an alternative overflow path permitting water therethrough at a height of the plurality of cutouts (<NUM>); characterized in that, the water filter assembly further comprises
a first filter layer (<NUM>) mounted within the cavity (<NUM>) of the filter body (<NUM>) and resting atop vertical barriers (<NUM>) of the filter body (<NUM>), at least a portion of the first filter layer (<NUM>) being present within the filtered cavity portion (<NUM>) of the filter body (<NUM>) and at least a portion the first filter layer (<NUM>) being present within the unfiltered cavity portion (<NUM>) of the filter body (<NUM>), wherein filtration media (<NUM>) reside within portions of the first filter layer, the first filter layer (<NUM>) comprising
a first filter floor (<NUM>) having a top side (<NUM>),
and
a plurality of first filter vertical barriers (<NUM>) extending from the top side (<NUM>) of the first filter floor (<NUM>) and defining a plurality of first filter flow paths (<NUM>) that all originate from the portion of the first filter layer (<NUM>) present within the unfiltered cavity portion (<NUM>), discrete first filter outlet holes (<NUM>) being defined at an end (<NUM>) of each first filter flow path (<NUM>) to permit water to drop to the floor (<NUM>) of the filter body (<NUM>) below it.