Extension and locking assembly for dripless element, and container therefore
DCFirst Claim
1. A filter element removably positionable between housing portions, the element including a ring of filtration media circumscribing a central axis and having first and second ends;
- a first end cap sealingly bonded to the first end of the filtration media, and a second end cap sealingly bonded to the second end of the filtration media;
the second end cap including a central opening along the central axis of the filter element;
said first end cap also including a central opening along the central axis of the filter element, said central opening of said first end cap having a smaller diameter than said central opening of said second end cap, said central opening of said first end cap bounded by an annular flange integral with said first end cap and projecting axially inward a short distance from said first end cap toward said second end cap and terminating at a point closer to said first end cap than said second end cap, said annular flange spaced radially inward from the ring of filtration media; and
a series of distinct protrusions spaced radially outward from said annular flange and radially between said flange and said ring of filtration media, said protrusions permanently fixed to said first end cap and projecting axially inward from said first end cap a short distance from said first end cap toward said second end cap and remaining with the filter element when the filter element is removed from between the housing portions.
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Litigations
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Accused Products
Abstract
A filter assembly includes housing enclosing a replaceable filter element. A support core is provided in the housing, and includes an extension and locking assembly. The element includes a ring of filtration media with a pair of end caps. The first end cap includes a central opening to receive the support core. The extension and locking assembly prevents the cover of the housing from being attached to the housing body without a proper filter element installed. The extension and locking assembly includes a bypass member and a locking member, which are in locking engagement when an element is absent in the housing. The second end cap includes internal protrusions which engage the locking member when the filter element is installed to disengage the bypass member from the support core, and allow the element to be inserted and the cover to be installed.
49 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A filter element removably positionable between housing portions, the element including a ring of filtration media circumscribing a central axis and having first and second ends;
- a first end cap sealingly bonded to the first end of the filtration media, and a second end cap sealingly bonded to the second end of the filtration media;
the second end cap including a central opening along the central axis of the filter element;
said first end cap also including a central opening along the central axis of the filter element, said central opening of said first end cap having a smaller diameter than said central opening of said second end cap, said central opening of said first end cap bounded by an annular flange integral with said first end cap and projecting axially inward a short distance from said first end cap toward said second end cap and terminating at a point closer to said first end cap than said second end cap, said annular flange spaced radially inward from the ring of filtration media; and
a series of distinct protrusions spaced radially outward from said annular flange and radially between said flange and said ring of filtration media, said protrusions permanently fixed to said first end cap and projecting axially inward from said first end cap a short distance from said first end cap toward said second end cap and remaining with the filter element when the filter element is removed from between the housing portions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
- a first end cap sealingly bonded to the first end of the filtration media, and a second end cap sealingly bonded to the second end of the filtration media;
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12. A filter element removably positionable between a pair of housing portions, with a central support core projecting axially away from one of the housing portions toward the other of the housing portions, said filter element comprising:
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i) a ring of filtration media circumscribing a central cavity along a central axis and having first and second ends, and first and second end caps at opposite ends of the media; ii) the first end cap having a surface sealingly bonded to a surface at the first end of the filtration media and having a central opening along the central axis of the filter element, said central opening of said first end cap being defined by an annular flange integral with said first end cap and projecting axially inward a short distance from said first end cap toward said second end cap and terminating at a point closer to said first end cap than said second end cap, said annular flange spaced radially inward from the ring of filtration media; and
a series of protrusions permanently fixed to the first end cap and extending axially inward a short first distance from said first end cap toward said second end cap, said protrusions spaced radially outward apart from said flange and radially inward apart from said ring of filtration media, and being radially outwardly bounded by the ring of filtration media; andiii) the second end cap having a surface sealingly bonded to a surface at the second end of the filtration media;
the second end cap also having a central opening along the central axis of the filter element, said central opening of said second end cap having a larger diameter than said central opening of said first end cap and dimensioned to receive the central support core, wherein the protrusions remain with the filter element when the filter element is removed from between the pair of housing portions. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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15. A filter element removeably positionable between a pair of housing portions, the filter element including a ring of filtration media circumscribing a central axis and having first and second ends;
- a first end cap sealingly bonded to the first end of the filtration media, and a second end cap sealingly bonded to the second end of the filtration media;
the second end cap including a central opening along the central axis of the filter element;
said first end cap also including a central opening along the central axis of the filter element, said central opening of said first end cap having a smaller diameter than said central opening of said second end cap, said central opening of said first end cap bounded by an annular flange integral with said first end cap and projecting axially inward a short distance from said first end cap toward said second end cap and terminating at a point closer to said first end cap than said second end cap, said annular flange spaced radially inward from the ring of filtration media;
at least one protrusion spaced radially outward from said annular flange and radially between said flange and said ring of filtration media, said at least one protrusion permanently fixed to said first end cap and projecting axially inward from said first end cap a short distance from said first end cap toward said second end cap and remaining with the filter element when the filter element is removed from between the housing portions. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
- a first end cap sealingly bonded to the first end of the filtration media, and a second end cap sealingly bonded to the second end of the filtration media;
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24. A filter element including a ring of filtration media circumscribing a central axis and having first and second ends;
- a first end cap sealingly bonded to the first end of the filtration media, and a second end cap sealingly bonded to the second end of the filtration media;
the second end cap including a central opening along the central axis of the filter element;
said first end cap also including a central opening along the central axis of the filter element, said central opening of said first end cap having a smaller diameter than said central opening of said second end cap, said central opening of said first end cap bounded by an annular flange integral with said first end cap and projecting axially inward a short distance from said first end cap toward said second end cap and terminating at a point closer to said first end cap than said second end cap, said annular flange spaced radially inward from the ring of filtration media;
at least one protrusion located radially between said flange and said ring of filtration media, said at least one protrusion permanently fixed to said first end cap and projecting axially inward from said first end cap a short distance toward said second end cap. - View Dependent Claims (25)
- a first end cap sealingly bonded to the first end of the filtration media, and a second end cap sealingly bonded to the second end of the filtration media;
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26. A filter element removeably positionable within a housing, the filter element including a ring of filtration media circumscribing a central axis and having first and second ends;
- a first end cap sealingly bonded to the first end of the filtration media, and a second end cap sealingly bonded to the second end of the filtration media;
the second end cap including a central opening along the central axis of the filter element;
said first end cap also including a central opening along the central axis of the filter element, said central opening of said first end cap having a smaller diameter than said central opening of said second end cap, said central opening of said first end cap bounded by an annular flange integral with said first end cap and projecting axially inward a short distance from said first end cap toward said second end cap and terminating at a point closer to said first end cap than said second end cap, said annular flange spaced radially inward from the ring of filtration media;
at least one protrusion located radially between said flange and said ring of filtration media, said at least one protrusion permanently fixed to said first end cap and projecting axially inward from said first end cap a short distance toward said second end cap, and remaining with the filter element when the filter element is removed from the housing. - View Dependent Claims (27)
- a first end cap sealingly bonded to the first end of the filtration media, and a second end cap sealingly bonded to the second end of the filtration media;
Specification