the present invention is directed to a filter cartridge that is suitable for use with a counter - top , stand - alone water container and dispenser . the present invention is not , however , limited to water dispensers and can be used in a wide variety of liquid handling devices in which even filtering of flowing liquid is required . referring to fig1 —, a filter cartridge ( 10 ) comprises a plurality of inlet holes ( 12 ) located on the top side of an upper housing ( 14 ), and a plurality of outlet holes ( 16 ) located on the bottom side of a lower housing ( 18 ). the upper housing ( 14 ) of the preferred embodiment has a raised central portion ( 20 ) rising from the upper surface ( 22 ), and the inlet holes ( 12 ) reside on both surfaces . it is conceivable that the upper surface ( 22 ) can be flush with no raised portion ( 20 ), or it may have a differently configured raised portion ( 20 ). the outlet holes ( 16 ) are located on an outlet plate ( 24 ) that holds a filter screen ( 26 ), preferably made of non - woven polyester . while in the preferred embodiment the plate ( 24 ) is sonic welded in place , it is possible to make it removable for cleaning or replacement of the filter screen ( 26 ). it is conceivable that the outlet holes ( 16 ) could simply exist directly on the bottom surface ( 28 ) without the need for a removable plate ( 24 ). furthermore , while an extending portion ( 30 ) is provided to locate the outlet holes ( 16 ) selectively to cooperate with additional , surrounding structure ( not shown ) dependent upon the appliance that the cartridge ( 10 ) is to be used with , it is possible to eliminate the extending portion ( 30 ) or to re - configure it . the lower housing ( 18 ) is provided with a plurality of lower diverter plates ( 32 ) attached to the floor of an internal space in the lower housing . the lower diverter plates ( 32 ) concentrically surround a central opening ( 34 ) of the lower housing ( 18 ) that corresponds with the extending portion ( 30 ) and the outlet holes ( 16 ). the internal space ( 36 ) formed inside of the lower housing ( 18 ) is defined by the space enclosed by the interior circumferential wall ( 38 ) of the lower housing ( 18 ). a charcoal medium ( 40 ), shown schematically in fig1 , of a type generally known is positioned inside of the lower housing ( 18 ). a diffuser plate ( 42 ) is positioned over the charcoal medium ( 14 ). the diffuser plate ( 42 ) is generally saucer - shaped having a convex upper surface ( 44 ) and a concave lower surface ( 46 ). the diffuser plate ( 42 ) has a plurality of slots ( 48 ) and holes ( 50 ) arranged generally concentrically around the center of the diverter plate ( 42 ). an upstream filter screen ( 52 ), preferably made of non - woven polyester , is provided above the diffuser plate ( 42 ). finally , the upper housing ( 14 ) is closed over the top of the above - mentioned components to seal them within an internal space formed by the upper housing ( 14 ) and the lower housing ( 18 ) when they are attached to each other . optionally , additional charcoal medium may also be positioned above the diffuser ( 42 ) or above the upstream filter screen ( 52 ) so that it is contained within an inner space formed by the upper housing ( 14 ). the inner surface ( 54 ) of the upper housing ( 14 ) is provided with a plurality of upper diverter plates ( 56 ) positioned generally concentrically around a central opening ( 58 ) that coincides with the inlet holes ( 12 ). during use , the filter cartridge ( 10 ) is positioned inside of an appliance ( not shown ) through which a liquid is passed . liquid under pressure enters the inlet holes ( 12 ) and proceeds through the upstream filter screen ( 52 ). the liquid then contacts the diffuser ( 42 ) and is dispersed along the top of the diffuser so that some of the liquid passes through the slots ( 48 ), some passes through the holes ( 50 ), and some passes around the circumferential edge of the diffuser ( 42 ), which has a diameter that is less than the internal diameter formed by the internal circumferential wall of the lower housing ( 18 ). as the liquid flows past the diffuser ( 42 ), it makes its way to the central opening ( 34 ) of the lower housing ( 18 ) and exits out the outlet holes ( 16 ). while the liquid flows within the internal space formed by the housings ( 14 , 18 ), the upper and lower diverter plates ( 56 , 32 ) diver the liquid so that it is evenly distributed among the residing charcoal medium . additionally , the diverter plates ( 56 , 32 ) serve to physically stabilize the charcoal medium . while the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been herein described , various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention .