Patent ID: 7067054

Claim:
A modular water filter assembly in combination with an appliance, the modular water filter assembly comprising: a manifold assembly having a flow control valve operatively disposed therein, the manifold assembly being operatively disposed within the appliance and in operable communication with a water inlet conduit and a water outlet conduit; a bank of filter cartridges having a plurality of serial, individually replaceable cartridges, the bank of filter cartridges adjoining the manifold assembly and in operable communication therewith, the filter cartridges having inlet and outlet protrusions; and a linearly actuated latching assembly to operably secure the filter cartridges to the manifold assembly, the latching including (i) a resilient latching member disposed at least one filter cartridge and separate from the inlet and outlet protrusions, and (ii) a linearly moveable actuator.