Water filter cartridge with slanted nozzles

Abstract

A water filter cartridge has an end cap with inlet and outlet nozzles extending from the end cap. A lateral support extends laterally from at least one of the nozzles. A projection extends from the lateral support toward a receiving manifold to cooperate with the manifold during use. The lateral support is offset from the end cap so the projection is vertically offset from an end of the cartridge and laterally offset from and supported from the nozzles.

1 .- 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A water filer cartridge having a first end, a closed second end, and a longitudinal axis extending through the ends, the cartridge having a filter media contained within the housing between the first and second ends, the cartridge comprising:
 an end piece wall on the first end of the cartridge, the end piece wall having an outer periphery, the end piece wall comprising:   a first fitting extending from the end piece wall along the longitudinal axis and having a first distal end spaced apart from the end piece wall a first predetermined distance, the first fitting enclosing a first flow passage in fluid communication with the filter media;   a second fitting extending through the first fitting along the longitudinal axis having a second distal end spaced apart from the end piece wall a second predetermined distance, the second fitting enclosing a second flow passage in fluid communication with the filter media, the first fitting encircling a portion of the second fitting,   at least one lateral support extending laterally from the first fitting, the lateral support being spaced apart from the end piece wall; and   a projection extending from the lateral support along a longitudinal axis of the projection and in a direction away from the end piece wall.   
     
     
         18 . The water filter cartridge of  claim 17 , wherein the lateral support extends a lateral distance less than that needed to extend beyond the outer periphery of the filter cartridge. 
     
     
         19 . The water filter cartridge of  claim 17 , wherein the longitudinal axis of the cartridge is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the projection. 
     
     
         20 . The water filter cartridge of  claim 17 , wherein there are two lateral supports, one extending from each of the fittings, with the lateral supports joined together adjacent a distal end of the lateral supports. 
     
     
         21 . The water filter cartridge of  claim 20 , wherein each lateral support has a bottom edge that edge is inclined away from a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the cartridge and inclined from that plane at an angle of about 10-25 degrees so that the bottom edge of each lateral support is further from the end piece wall adjacent the projection axis than adjacent the fitting from which the lateral support extends. 
     
     
         22 .- 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . The water filter cartridge of  claim 17  wherein the second fitting extending through the first fitting with the second fitting is not coaxial with the first fitting.