Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
A fluid sealing gasket device for a filter assembly operating under fluid pressure, comprising: (a) an annular sealing gasket having top and bottom sealing walls and inner and outer peripheral walls; (b) gasket retainer means for retaining the sealing gasket, wherein the gasket has a lower portion positioned in the retainer means and an upper portion extending therefrom; and (c) means positioned substantially in said upper portion of the sealing gasket along one of said peripheral walls for reinforcing the sealing gasket against deformation while under fluid pressure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
88 words
A fluid sealing gasket device for a filter assembly operating under fluid pressure, comprising: (a) an annular sealing gasket having top and bottom sealing walls and inner and outer peripheral walls; (b) gasket retainer means for retaining the sealing gasket, wherein the gasket has a lower portion positioned in the retainer means and an upper portion extending therefrom; and (c) means positioned substantially in said upper portion of the sealing gasket along one of said peripheral walls for reinforcing the sealing gasket against deformation while under fluid pressure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The fluid sealing gasket device of claim 1, wherein the annular sealing gasket has a groove formed radially from and extending circumferentially along one of the peripheral walls of the sealing gasket, and wherein the reinforcing means comprises an annular reinforcing member positioned in said groove.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The fluid sealing gasket device of claim 2, wherein the inward dimensions of the groove in the sealing gasket and the corresponding inward dimensions of the reinforcing member are substantially equal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The fluid sealing gasket device of claim 2 or 3, wherein the groove of the sealing gasket is selected from the group which is "U"-shaped, semi-circularly shaped, squarely shaped, rectangularly shaped, or "V"-shaped in cross-section.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The fluid sealing gasket device of claim 4, wherein the annular reinforcing member is selected from the group which is circularly shaped, semi-circularly shaped, squarely shaped, rectangularly shaped, or triangularly shaped in cross section.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The fluid sealing gasket of claim 5, wherein the annular reinforcing member is metal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The fluid sealing gasket of claim 5, wherein the annular reinforcing member and the groove have dimensions such that the reinforcing member does not extend beyond the peripheral wall of said sealing gasket.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The fluid sealing gasket of claim 5, wherein the annular reinforcing member and the groove have dimensions such that the reinforcing member extends beyond the peripheral wall of said sealing gasket.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The fluid sealing gasket device of claim 4, wherein the groove is formed radially inwardly from and extends circumferentially along the outer peripheral wall of the gasket.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The fluid sealing gasket device of claim 9, wherein the groove is formed in a gasket peripheral wall in the gasket upper portion extending from the gasket retainer means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
42 words
The fluid sealing gasket device of claim 1, wherein the annular sealing gasket comprises a void formed radially and circumferentially in the sealing gasket, and wherein the means for reinforcing the sealing gasket includes an annular reinforcing member located in said void.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
The fluid sealing gasket device of claim 11, wherein the void of the sealing gasket is selected from the group which is circularly shaped, semi-circularly shaped, squarely shaped, rectangularly shaped, or triangularly shaped in cross-section.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The fluid sealing gasket device of claim 12, wherein the annular reinforcing member is selected from the group which is circularly shaped, semi-circularly shaped, squarely shaped, rectangularly shaped or triangularly shaped in cross-section.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The fluid sealing gasket device of claim 13, wherein the void is formed in the gasket upper portion extending from the gasket retainer means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The fluid sealing gasket of claim 13, wherein the annular reinforcing member is metal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
The fluid sealing gasket of claim 2 or 13, wherein the annular reinforcing member and the groove have dimensions such that the reinforcing member does not extend beyond the peripheral wall of said sealing gasket.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
The fluid sealing gasket of claim 2 or 13, wherein the annular reinforcing member and the groove have dimensions such that the reinforcing member extends beyond the peripheral wall of said sealing gasket.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
59 words
The fluid sealing gasket device of claim 12, wherein the filter assembly is a spin-on, throw-away filter assembly, and wherein said gasket retainer means comprises a retainer member having side and bottom walls for defining an annular retainer channel formed in one end of said spin-on, throw-away filter, and wherein the lower portion of the gasket is positioned therein.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
The fluid sealing gasket device of claim 11, wherein the overall dimensions of the void in the sealing gasket and the overall dimensions of the reinforcing member are substantially equal.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
35 words
The fluid sealing gasket device of claim 2 or 11, wherein the annular reinforcing member is selected from the group which is circularly shaped, semi-circularly shaped, squarely shaped, rectangularly shpped, or triangularly shaped in cross-section.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
219 words
A spin-on fluid filter, comprising: (a) a filter housing; (b) an end plate attached to an end of the filter housing: (c) an annular, resilient gasket having top and bottom sealing walls and inner and outer peripheral walls, the outer peripheral wall of the gasket having a groove in the upper portion extending radially inwardly and circumferentially therealong; (d) an annular gasket retainer member on the end plate having inner and outer side walls and a bottom wall for forming an annular gasket retainer channel, wherein the gasket has a lower portion positioned in the retainer means and an upper portion extending therefrom containing said groove; and (e) a continuous annular reinforcing member positioned in the groove in the outer peripheral wall of the annular, resilient gasket, wherein part of the reinforcing member extends out of the groove; wherein the bottom sealing wall of the gasket abuts the bottom wall of the retainer channel, the inner side wall of the gasket partially abuts the inner side wall of the retainer channel, the outer side wall of the gasket partially abuts the outer side wall of the retainer channel, and the groove of the gasket with the reinforcing member located therein is positioned in the outer peripheral wall of the gasket above the outer side wall of the retainer channel.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
219 words
A spin-on fluid filter, comprising: (a) a filter housing; (b) an end plate attached to an end of the filter housing: (c) an annular, resilient gasket having top and bottom sealing walls and inner and outer peripheral walls, the outer peripheral wall of the gasket having a groove in the upper portion extending radially inwardly and circumferentially therealong; (d) an annular gasket retainer member on the end plate having inner and outer side walls and a bottom wall for forming an annular gasket retainer channel, wherein the gasket has a lower portion positioned in the retainer means and an upper portion extending therefrom containing said groove; and (e) a continuous annular reinforcing member positioned in the groove in the outer peripheral wall of the annular, resilient gasket, wherein part of the reinforcing member extends out of the groove; wherein the bottom sealing wall of the gasket abuts the bottom wall of the retainer channel, the inner side wall of the gasket partially abuts the inner side wall of the retainer channel, the outer side wall of the gasket partially abuts the outer side wall of the retainer channel, and the groove of the gasket with the reinforcing member located therein is positioned in the outer peripheral wall of the gasket above the outer side wall of the retainer channel.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
14 words
The spin-on fluid filter of claim 21, wherein the groove is "U"-shaped in cross-section.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
15 words
The spin-on fluid filter of claim 21, wherein the reinforcement member is rectangular in cross-section.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
187 words
A spin-on fluid filter, comprising: (a) a filter housing; (b) an end plate attached to an end of the filter housing; (c) an annular, resilient gasket having top and bottom sealing walls and inner and outer peripheral walls, the gasket having a void extending circumferentially in an upper portion therein; (d) an annular gasket retainer member on the end plate having inner and outer side walls and a bottom wall for forming an annular gasket retainer channel wherein the gasket has a lower portion positioned in the retainer means and an upper portion extending therefrom containing said void; and (e) a continuous, annular reinforcing member positioned in the void in the annular, resilient gasket; wherein the bottom sealing wall of the gasket abuts the bottom wall of the retainer channel, the inner side wall of the gasket partially abuts the inner side wall of the retainer channel, the outer side wall of the gasket partially abuts the outer side wall of the retainer channel, and the void of the gasket with the reinforcing member located therein is positioned above the outer side wall of the retainer channel.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
187 words
A spin-on fluid filter, comprising: (a) a filter housing; (b) an end plate attached to an end of the filter housing; (c) an annular, resilient gasket having top and bottom sealing walls and inner and outer peripheral walls, the gasket having a void extending circumferentially in an upper portion therein; (d) an annular gasket retainer member on the end plate having inner and outer side walls and a bottom wall for forming an annular gasket retainer channel wherein the gasket has a lower portion positioned in the retainer means and an upper portion extending therefrom containing said void; and (e) a continuous, annular reinforcing member positioned in the void in the annular, resilient gasket; wherein the bottom sealing wall of the gasket abuts the bottom wall of the retainer channel, the inner side wall of the gasket partially abuts the inner side wall of the retainer channel, the outer side wall of the gasket partially abuts the outer side wall of the retainer channel, and the void of the gasket with the reinforcing member located therein is positioned above the outer side wall of the retainer channel.