Enhanced filter indicatior for refrigerator
First Claim
1. 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.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An indicator for a refrigerator filter which has a body configured to contain a replaceable filter cartridge and including an openable cap to enclose the filter cartridge within the body. The indicator includes a control having a filter life determination mechanism and arranged to emit a signal when a life of the filter cartridge is determined to be expired. A visual display is arranged in association with the body which comprises an illuminating component which illuminates upon receipt of the signal from the control, graphics positioned in association with the body, and a light pipe extending from the graphics towards the illuminating component to transmit light from the illuminating component to the graphics.
26 Citations
23 Claims
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1. An indicator for a refrigerator filter comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A refrigerator including a filter indicator comprising:
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a cabinet; a body having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet with a fluid path therebetween mounted in the cabinet and configured to contain a replaceable filter cartridge and including an openable cap arranged to enclose the filter cartridge within the body when closed and, when moved to an open position, 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 associated 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; permanent graphics positioned on the openable cap; and a light pipe at least partially carried on the cap and extending from the graphics towards the illuminating component to transmit light from the illuminating component to the graphics. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A refrigerator including a filter indicator comprising:
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a cabinet; a body having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet and defining a fluid path therethrough mounted in the cabinet configured to contain a replaceable filter cartridge positioned in the fluid path and including an openable cap to enclose the filter cartridge within the body, the cap being movable relative to the body between a closed position and an open position to permit 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 associated with the body which comprises; an illuminating component mounted in a fixed manner relative to the body and spaced from the openable cap which illuminates only upon receipt of the signal from the control; permanent graphics being light transmissive and having a front portion forming a portion of an exposed surface of the openable cap; and a light pipe extending from a rear portion of the graphics towards the illuminating component to transmit light from the illuminating component to the rear portion of the graphics while the openable cap is in the closed position. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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Specification