I haev a Sunbeam hot / cold water dispenser. It is the type that has a
5 gallon water bottle on top. The water leaked out yesterday. Nice
mess to come home to. I took it apart and found a hose had split. The
hose is connected to a 3/16 metal tube, top and bottom. The top is
connected near the top of the metal reservoir and the bottom metal
tube I'm not sure where it goes. I figured I could just go purchase a
new hose but about 2 inches down, there is a plastic piece in the
hose.
What purpose does this 1/4 inch x 7 inch hose serve? Any idea what the
plastic part in the hose is? (No web access, at work, can't look at
Sunbeam)

Thanks.