Fluid filter and cap member

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. The structure of the filter media eliminates the center tube and compression spring and bottom plate typically used inside the shell of a spin-on filter assembly; thus, the number of parts is reduced and assembly is simplified.