Abstract: A filter element is particularly suitable as a “green” filter element because all of its parts are flammable for disposal of after use by incineration. The filter element has an annular pleated filter media, hard resinous end seals and compressible gaskets bonded directly to the end seals. In accordance with one embodiment, both the end seals and gaskets are applied to the ends of the filter media by sequential steps in an injecting molding machine. In accordance with another embodiment, the gasket is molded to the end cap to form an integral assembly and the end cap is then fixed to the filter media by adhesive or by heat bonding.

Abstract: A filter is disclosed. The filter comprises a canister, filter media disposed within the canister, the filter media having a first axial end, a second axial end and circumscribing a central axis and an end cap having an inner radial surface disposed adjacent the first axial end of the filter media, the end cap defining a centralized axial passage therethrough having a sidewall surrounding said passage that extends to a valve actuation portion that is axially offset from the inner radial surface of the end cap, wherein the actuation portion includes at least one cross member that extends from a position on the sidewall across the centralized axial passage, the cross member having a first radial surface closer to the inner radial surface of the end cap than a second radial surface, and wherein the first radial surface of the at least one cross member is substantially planar.

Abstract: A filter element is removably positionable within a filter housing defining a filter chamber for said filter element. The filter housing comprises a standpipe extending within the filter chamber. The filter element includes a tubular filter media circumscribing the standpipe, a first end cap supporting the filter media at one end thereof, a second end cap longitudinally spaced from the first end cap and supporting the filter media at the opposite end thereof, and a center tube extending between the first and second end caps. The center tube has at least one inlet opening therethrough, a bypass opening at a first end thereof adjacent to the first end cap and a standpipe opening at a second end thereof adjacent to the second end cap and through which the standpipe is adapted to be inserted longitudinally into the center tube.

Abstract: A filter element is removably positionable within a filter housing that includes a standpipe extending therewithin and provided with a flow control valve. The filter element comprises a tubular filter media, a first end cap, a second end cap longitudinally spaced from the first end cap, and a center tube extending between the first and second end caps. The center tube has a substantially cylindrical body extending between opposite first and second ends of the center tube. The center tube has at least one inlet opening formed on the cylindrical body and a standpipe opening at the second end thereof adjacent to the second end cap through which the standpipe may be inserted longitudinally into the center tube. The center tube further has at least one actuator key provided to open the flow control valve of the standpipe.

Abstract: A filter assembly is disclosed. The filter assembly includes a filter including a filter media, and an end cap; a filter container including an open end, and a wall portion defining a cavity that is adapted to receive the filter, wherein the wall portion includes an inner surface defining the cavity; and a close-out member removably secured to the filter container proximate the open end, wherein the close-out member includes a circumferential wall, an end wall, an inner surface, and an outer surface, wherein the inner surface of the close-out member includes one or more filter-retaining elements that engages the end cap, wherein the one or more filter retaining elements are located proximate one or more of the circumferential wall and the end wall, wherein the one or more filter retaining elements include a radial portion extending radially inwardly from an inner circumferential surface of the circumferential wall, and an axial portion extending axially away from an inner end wall surface of the end wall.

Abstract: A sub-component of a replaceable filter element that is interfacably sealing a standpipe includes an end cap, said second end cap defining a first central opening; a central tube extending from the first central opening of the second end cap, wherein the central tube defines an inner surface, an outer surface and a top surface, wherein the top surface defines a second central opening, wherein the central tube includes an actuator excluding keys, free ends, or projections; and a standpipe seal disposed proximate the top surface of the central tube, wherein the standpipe seal defines a third central opening.

Abstract: An oil filter assembly includes a pressure relief valve adaptable to wide variety of environments while maintaining ease of assembly and manufacture. The pressure relief valve of this invention also occupies a minimal amount of space within the filter assembly as compared to conventional valve arrangements. In the preferred embodiment, the three-piece filter system comprises a base, a deep pocket filtering media, and a housing shell. The unitary filtering media and cap member are formed as a replaceable component that seats into the housing shell without a center tube or other outside support. When the housing shell is threaded onto the base, the cap member is sandwiched between a ledge on the shell and a seal on the base. The pressure relief valve allows fluid to continue to flow in the event the filter element becomes clogged whereby the valve provides ease of assembly, reduced cost, and reduced valve size.

Abstract: A pleated fluid filter element for removing particulate matter from a fluid stream that comprises a pleated filter media provided with a plurality of pleats having peaks and valleys and having a clean and dirty side. The pleated filter media further has arrays of elongated embossments projecting from both the clean and dirty sides thereof. The arrays of the elongated embossments are positioned so that the elongated embossments embossed on adjacent pleats of the filter media are offset from each other in a direction parallel to the peaks and valleys. The elongated embossments are provided for maintaining gaps between the pleats and spaces within the pleats and for channeling fluid into and out of the filter media.

Abstract: A filter assembly for removing particulate contaminants from a fluid, comprises a annular filter element having first and second ends, a filter housing containing the filter element and having first and second ends and a substantially cylindrical side wall defining an annular space between the side wall and the filter element, an end plate secured to the first end of the filter housing and having at least one fluid inlet therethrough adjacent to the first end of the filter element so that the fluid enters the filter housing through the at least one fluid inlet and flows into the annular space, and a directional fluid insert having at least one of fm disposed between the first end of the filter element and the end plate. The fins provided to cause the fluid entering the filter housing through the at least one fluid inlet to swirl around the filter element.

Abstract: A three-piece filter system comprises a base, a deep pocket filtering media, and a housing shell. The base is adapted to be fitted/threaded onto an engine block, with a sealing surface to provide a seal with the engine block. The filtering media and cap member is placed pleated-media end down into the housing shell. The filtering media self centers and the housing shell with the filtering media attached is attached to the base. The unitary filtering media and cap member are formed as a replaceable component that seats into the housing shell without a center tube or other outside support. When the housing shell is threaded onto the base, the cap member is sandwiched between a ledge on the shell and a seal on the base. The filter media itself is a solid block and has no center tube. The filter media is a solid pleated pocket design affixed to the cap member. In the preferred design, the filter element is square rather than round to increase surface area.

Abstract: A filter element is removably positionable within a filter housing defining a filter chamber for said filter element. The filter housing comprises a standpipe extending within the filter chamber. The filter element includes a tubular filter media circumscribing the standpipe, a first end cap supporting the filter media at one end thereof, a second end cap longitudinally spaced from the first end cap and supporting the filter media at the opposite end thereof, and a center tube extending between the first and second end caps. The center tube has at least one inlet opening therethrough at a first end thereof adjacent to the first end cap and a standpipe opening therethrough at a second end thereof adjacent to the second end cap. The second end cap has at least one intake opening therethrough radially spaced from the standpipe opening in the center tube.

Abstract: Seals for filter elements having filter packs with seals around the periphery thereof adjacent to one of the faces are produced by injection molding the seal onto the filter pack using an ethylene-propyleneterpolymer (EPDM) thermoplastic material. Preferably, the thermoplastic material is embedded in polypropylene particles. The resulting seal has a contact portion which bends and/or compresses upon being engaged by a lid of a filter housing as the lid closes.

Abstract: A filter element is removably positionable within a filter housing defining a filter chamber for said filter element. The filter housing comprises a standpipe extending within the filter chamber. The filter element includes a tubular filter media circumscribing the standpipe, a first end cap supporting the filter media at one end thereof, a second end cap longitudinally spaced from the first end cap and supporting the filter media at the opposite end thereof, and a center tube extending between the first and second end caps. The center tube has at least one inlet opening therethrough at a first end thereof adjacent to the first end cap and a standpipe opening therethrough at a second end thereof adjacent to the second end cap. The second end cap has at least one intake opening therethrough radially spaced from the standpipe opening in the center tube.

Abstract: A high-pressure spin-on filter assembly is provided that utilizes a two-piece cover assembly to hold or sandwich the housing in place once the housing is folded over the inner cover member. This design allows for the outer cover member to be interchanged to fit multiple applications while making little or no change to the other components. Suitable gaskets are provided between the housing and two-piece cover assembly and the filter and cover assembly. The outer cover member may be changed to accommodate thread changes or gasket location changes.

Abstract: Seals for filter elements having filter packs with seals around the periphery thereof adjacent to one of the faces are produced by injection molding the seal onto the filter pack using a cell-less thermoplastic material. Preferably, the thermoplastic material is comprised of thermoplastic particles embedded in ethylene-propyleneterpolymer (EPDM). The resulting seal has a contact portion which bends rather than compresses upon a lid of a housing containing the filter element closing.

Abstract: A self-venting drain valve is rotatably and slidably mounted to a filter assembly through an internally threaded base. The drain valve comprises a homogenously formed one-piece unitary valve body including a tubular valve stem portion and a valve knob portion. The valve stem portion includes a wall member defining an internal passageway provided with axially extending air vent openings through which ambient air can enter a filter housing through the internal passageway, and drain holes through which water is drained from the filter housing and the internal passageway. The air vent openings are formed through an upper portion of the wall member and are open to a top edge thereof, while the drain holes are formed through the lower portion of the wall member. The liquid drains from the filter housing through the internal passageway and the drain holes, then exits into the valve knob portion.