Abstract: An air cleaner includes a housing having an air inlet and an air outlet. The housing includes a body having an open end and an end cap adapted to close the open end of the body. A filter element is positioned within the housing between the air inlet and the air outlet. A bayonet connection is formed in the body and the end cap for attaching the end cap to the body. The bayonet connection eliminates the need for the clamps or tie rods used in the prior art. The air cleaner also has a positioning guide for maintaining the filter element in a substantially axial position when the end cap is attached.

Abstract: An air/oil separator or other filtering assembly includes a filter media pack having first and second ends. A flange member is located at the first end of the media pack. The flange member includes a flange for mounting the filtering assembly. A retainer member is located at the second end of the media pack. A layer of perforated material is attached to the flange member. The perforated material is located adjacent to the first end of the media pack. Hardenable material permeates the first end of the media pack and permeates the perforated material to mechanically interlock the flange member to the media pack. A similar mechanical interlock is provided between the media pack and the retainer member. These mechanical interlocks eliminate the interior straps which had previously been used to secure the flange member to the retainer member.