A refrigerator utilizes a quick fill dispenser that incorporates a fluid storage receptacle that is easily removable for cleaning and/or dispensing independently of the refrigerator, and that is coupled to a dock through a combined inlet/outlet through which the receptacle is filled and fluid is dispensed through the receptacle. A dock closure may also be used to inhibit fluid flow through the combined inlet/outlet when the fluid storage receptacle is removed.

Provided are a water purifying apparatus and a refrigerator including the same. The water purifying apparatus includes a filter configured to purify incoming water and discharge the purified water, a head in which the filter is detachably coupled and a water inlet portion and a water outlet portion are formed, and a shaft provided inside the head and rotatably mounted between the water inlet portion and the water outlet portion, the shaft being provided with a bypass flow path directly connecting the water inlet portion and the water outlet portion and a filtering flow path connected so that water flowing in through the water inlet portion is discharged to the water outlet portion via the filter.

A water circuit assembly for a refrigerator that delivers water from a source to a first destination and a second destination spaced apart from the first destination. The water circuit assembly includes an inlet valve positioned outside a compartment of the refrigerator and a water filter assembly positioned adjacent a top wall and a first side wall of a liner that defines the compartment. The water circuit further includes a bracket secured to a rear wall of the liner, a water tank supported by the bracket along the rear wall of the liner, and a diverter valve attached to the bracket and fluidly connected to the inlet valve to thereby divert the flow of water from the inlet valve to a selected one of the first destination or the second destination.

A water filter cartridge is provided. The water filter cartridge includes a filter housing enclosing a filtration material therein. A port shield is connected at one end of the filter housing and disposed between the filter housing and a connector part adapted for securing the water filter cartridge to a refrigerator filter part. The port shield is provided for at least partially covering a water inlet port and a water outlet port extending at least between the connector part through the port shield and at least partially through the filter housing. The port shield at least partially encloses the water inlet and/or water outlet port therebetween and also separates the filtration material and unfiltered water within the filter housing from the portions of the water inlet and outlet port within the port shield.

An assembly and method for constructing or modifying a portable or non-portable ice chest, refrigerator, or other cooler for temporarily installing one or more faucets and related beverage dispensing equipment for cooling and dispensing beer or other beverages such that when cooler is not being used for dispensing beer or other beverages, the one or more faucets and the related dispensing equipment can be removed to allow the cooler to be used for other cooling services.

A refrigerator includes a water system and a valve. The water system is configured to direct water to a dispenser or an ice maker. The valve includes a valve body, an inlet port, and a clutch. The valve is configured to connect the water system to a water source. The inlet port is configured to receive a tube to establish fluid communication with the water source and to engage a nut to secure the tube to the inlet port. The clutch is disposed between the inlet port and the valve body and is configured to slip in response to an applied torque to the inlet port exceeding a threshold.

A portable cooler is disclosed herein. The portable cooler includes a cooler body portion, the cooler body portion defining an interior compartment configured to hold beverages and/or food items; and a cooler lid portion coupled to the cooler body portion, the cooler lid portion operable between open and closed states so as to allow a user to gain access to the beverages and/or food items in the interior compartment. In one or more embodiments, the portable cooler further includes a telescopic handle assembly pivotally coupled to the cooler body portion with an upper handle portion telescopically extendable from a lower handle portion. In one or more embodiments, the portable cooler further includes a solar panel disposed on the cooler lid portion, and an electrical power output device electrically coupled to the solar panel for transmitting electrical energy generated by the solar panel to an electrical device.

A filtered water supply extension system including an extension member and a flow control device, and a method for extending a filtered water supply of a primary appliance, for example, a refrigerator, to an external appliance, for example, a coffee maker, are provided. The extension member draws and directs an additional flow of filtered water from a water filter of the primary appliance to the external appliance, without interrupting a regular flow of filtered water from the water filter to one or more internal appliances, for example, an ice maker, a water dispenser, etc., of the primary appliance. The flow control device connects the extension member to the external appliance and controls the additional flow of filtered water to the external appliance. A microcontroller, in communication with a control panel, controls a valve assembly for directing a measured quantity of filtered water from the water filter to the external appliance.

A refrigerator includes a cabinet, a cooling module including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator, and attachable to or detachable from the cabinet so that the cooling module is removably mounted to the cabinet, an electronic device arranged in the cabinet, and an electrical box configured to be electrically connected to the electronic device and the compressor, receive power from outside and supply the received power to the electronic device and the compressor.

A water filter assembly may include a filter body having vertical side walls that defines a cavity within which one or more filter layers may be housed, the filter body further including a plurality of vertical barriers that define a plurality of flow paths that converge on an outlet hole, the vertical barriers further including a plurality of cutouts defining alternative overflow paths permitting water therethrough, and each filter layer including a plurality of vertical barriers that define a plurality of flow paths.