Patent ID: 8337693

Claim:
An indicator for a refrigerator filter comprising: a body having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet with a fluid path therebetween and configured to contain a replaceable filter cartridge in the fluid path and including a cap arranged to enclose the filter cartridge within the body and to be removable from the body to permit a removal and replacement of the filter cartridge; a control having a filter life determination mechanism and arranged to emit a life expiration signal only when a life of the filter cartridge is determined to be expired; and a visual display arranged in association with the body which comprises: an illuminating component mounted away from the cap and fixed relative to the body which illuminates only upon receipt of the signal from the control; a light pipe at least partially carried on the removable cap and extending towards the illuminating component to transmit light from the illuminating component to the cap; and permanent graphics arranged on the cap so as to be illuminated by the illuminating component via the light pipe which graphics are visible on the exterior surface of the cap.