Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
168 words
A replaceable filter cartridge for use in a fluid filter assembly comprises: a filter element having a substantially cylindrical outer surface and a pair of oppositely-disposed filter element ends; a first endplate bonded to one of said pair of oppositely-disposed filter element ends, said first endplate having an outer, substantially annular wall including an exterior surface which is positioned at a first distance of separation radially beyond the outer surface of said filter element; and a second endplate bonded to the other one of said pair of oppositely-disposed filter element ends, said second endplate having an outer, substantially annular wall which is positioned at a second distance of separation radially beyond the outer surface of said filter element, wherein said second distance of separation is greater than said first distance of separation and wherein the outer, substantially annular wall of said second endplate in combination with the outer surface of said filter element define an annular clearance space therebetween, said annular wall including a substantially annular free edge.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
168 words
A replaceable filter cartridge for use in a fluid filter assembly comprises: a filter element having a substantially cylindrical outer surface and a pair of oppositely-disposed filter element ends; a first endplate bonded to one of said pair of oppositely-disposed filter element ends, said first endplate having an outer, substantially annular wall including an exterior surface which is positioned at a first distance of separation radially beyond the outer surface of said filter element; and a second endplate bonded to the other one of said pair of oppositely-disposed filter element ends, said second endplate having an outer, substantially annular wall which is positioned at a second distance of separation radially beyond the outer surface of said filter element, wherein said second distance of separation is greater than said first distance of separation and wherein the outer, substantially annular wall of said second endplate in combination with the outer surface of said filter element define an annular clearance space therebetween, said annular wall including a substantially annular free edge.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The replaceable filter cartridge of claim 1 wherein the substantially annular wall of said first endplate has a wall thickness which substantially corresponds to said first distance of separation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The replaceable filter cartridge of claim 2 wherein the radial width of said annular clearance space substantially corresponds to said second distance of separation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The replaceable filter cartridge of claim 3 which further includes an annular sealing gasket which is assembled to said first endplate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The replaceable filter cartridge of claim 1 wherein the radial width of said annular clearance space substantially corresponds to said second distance of separation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The replaceable filter cartridge of claim 1 which further includes an annular sealing gasket which is assembled to said first endplate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
112 words
A replaceable filter cartridge for use in a fluid filter assembly comprises: a filter element having a substantially cylindrical outer surface and a pair of oppositely-disposed filter element ends; a first endplate assembled to one of said pair of oppositely-disposed filter element ends; and a second endplate assembly to the other one of said pair of oppositely-disposed filter element ends, said second endplate having a substantially cylindrical outer wall which is radially spaced apart from said filter element and in combination with said filter element defines a substantially annular clearance space between the outer wall of said second endplate and the filter element, said outer wall includes a substantially annular free edge.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
112 words
A replaceable filter cartridge for use in a fluid filter assembly comprises: a filter element having a substantially cylindrical outer surface and a pair of oppositely-disposed filter element ends; a first endplate assembled to one of said pair of oppositely-disposed filter element ends; and a second endplate assembly to the other one of said pair of oppositely-disposed filter element ends, said second endplate having a substantially cylindrical outer wall which is radially spaced apart from said filter element and in combination with said filter element defines a substantially annular clearance space between the outer wall of said second endplate and the filter element, said outer wall includes a substantially annular free edge.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
122 words
A fluid filter subassembly for assembly into a fluid filter outer housing comprises: a replaceable filter cartridge including a filter element and an endplate attached to an end of said filter element, and said endplate includes an outer wall which is radially spaced apart from said filter element and in combination with said filter element defines a clearance space between the outer wall of said endplate and the filter element; and a separable snap-on lid constructed and arranged to assemble to said outer housing, said snap-on lid including a plurality of spaced apart locking fingers which are snapped onto said endplate to create said fluid filter subassembly, said snap-on lid being separable from said replaceable filter cartridge by flexing said snap-on lid.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
122 words
A fluid filter subassembly for assembly into a fluid filter outer housing comprises: a replaceable filter cartridge including a filter element and an endplate attached to an end of said filter element, and said endplate includes an outer wall which is radially spaced apart from said filter element and in combination with said filter element defines a clearance space between the outer wall of said endplate and the filter element; and a separable snap-on lid constructed and arranged to assemble to said outer housing, said snap-on lid including a plurality of spaced apart locking fingers which are snapped onto said endplate to create said fluid filter subassembly, said snap-on lid being separable from said replaceable filter cartridge by flexing said snap-on lid.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The fluid filter subassembly of claim 8 wherein each of the plurality of spaced apart fingers includes an inwardly-extending locking lip portion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The fluid filter subassembly of claim 9 wherein the locking lip portions of said plurality of spaced apart fingers are positioned between said outer wall and said filter element.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The fluid filter subassembly of claim 10 wherein the outer surface of said filter element is substantially cylindrical, said outer wall is substantially cylindrical, and said clearance space is substantially annular.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
134 words
A fluid filter assembly for the filtering of a fluid substance comprises: an outer housing having a sidewall defining a hollow interior and an open end; a replaceable filter cartridge including a filter element and an endplate attached to an end of said filter element, said endplate includes an outer wall which is radially spaced apart from said filter element and in combination with said filter element defines a clearance space between the outer wall of said endplate and the filter element; and a separable snap-on lid constructed and arranged to assemble to said outer housing, said snap-on lid including a plurality of spaced apart locking fingers which are snapped onto said endplate to create said fluid filter subassembly, said snap-on lid being separable from said replaceable filter cartridge by flexing said snap-on lid.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
134 words
A fluid filter assembly for the filtering of a fluid substance comprises: an outer housing having a sidewall defining a hollow interior and an open end; a replaceable filter cartridge including a filter element and an endplate attached to an end of said filter element, said endplate includes an outer wall which is radially spaced apart from said filter element and in combination with said filter element defines a clearance space between the outer wall of said endplate and the filter element; and a separable snap-on lid constructed and arranged to assemble to said outer housing, said snap-on lid including a plurality of spaced apart locking fingers which are snapped onto said endplate to create said fluid filter subassembly, said snap-on lid being separable from said replaceable filter cartridge by flexing said snap-on lid.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The fluid filter assembly of claim 12 wherein each of the plurality of spaced apart fingers includes an inwardly-extending locking lip portion.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
The fluid filter assembly of claim 13 wherein the locking lip portions of said plurality of spaced apart fingers are positioned between said outer wall and said filter element.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
The fluid filter assembly of claim 12 wherein said open end is internally threaded and said snap-on lid is externally threaded for threaded engagement into said outer housing.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
106 words
A replaceable filter cartridge for use in a fluid filter assembly comprises: a filter element having an outer surface and a pair of oppositely-disposed filter element ends; a first endplate assembled to one of said pair of oppositely-disposed filter element ends; and a second endplate assembled to the other one of said pair of oppositely-disposed filter element ends, said second endplate having an outer wall which is radially spaced apart from said filter element and in combination with said filter element defines a clearance space between the outer wall of said second endplate and the filter element, said outer wall includes a substantially annular free edge.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
106 words
A replaceable filter cartridge for use in a fluid filter assembly comprises: a filter element having an outer surface and a pair of oppositely-disposed filter element ends; a first endplate assembled to one of said pair of oppositely-disposed filter element ends; and a second endplate assembled to the other one of said pair of oppositely-disposed filter element ends, said second endplate having an outer wall which is radially spaced apart from said filter element and in combination with said filter element defines a clearance space between the outer wall of said second endplate and the filter element, said outer wall includes a substantially annular free edge.