Moisture draining inside-out reverse flow air filter, mold and method

A method for making an inside-out reverse flow air filter element having annular filter media having a hollow interior and extending axially along a central vertical axis, an annular upper end cap having a central opening for receiving incoming air flow axially downwardly into said hollow interior, a closed lower end cap spanning said hollow interior, such that air in said hollow interior flows radially outwardly through said annular filter media, said lower end cap being a resiliently compressible molded member having molded drainage surfaces including a molded raised central dome shedding moisture radially outwardly and downwardly from said central axis, and a plurality of molded drainage holes spaced radially outwardly of said central axis and below the top of said central dome,

• said method comprising providing a mold comprising a base having a well holding liquefied molding material therein, and dipping said annular filter media into said liquefied molding material in said mold, providing said mold with a plurality of upstanding segments, each segment comprising a post and a ramp, each post extending upwardly through said liquefied molding material to an upper reach above the surface of said liquefied molding material to provide a respective said drainage hole in said lower end cap, each ramp extending radially outwardly from a respective said post and extending upwardly in said liquefied molding material to an upper reach below the surface of said liquefied molding material, providing each ramp with an outer locator face below the surface of said liquefied molding material and facing radially outwardly, and dipping said annular filter media into said liquefied molding material in said mold to engage and be guided along and located by said outer locator faces.