Bowl-cartridge filter having interlock mechanism and methods

A bowl-cartridge filter arrangement configured for operable installation onto a filter head by rotation in a first direction and removal from the filter head by rotation in an opposite, second direction;

• the bowl-cartridge filter arrangement comprising:
• (a) a filter bowl having an interior surface;
• said filter bowl including a filter bowl interlock arrangement extending from said filter bowl interior surface;
• (i) said filter bowl interlock arrangement including at least a first tooth;
• (A) said first tooth including an end flank, a heel, and a bevel surface;
• said end flank including a toe;
• said bevel surface extending at least partially from said heel to said toe and being angled obliquely relative to said end flank;
• (b) a disposable cartridge filter operably mounted in and selectively removable from the bowl;
• the filter cartridge comprising:
• (i) an extension of filter media;
• said extension having a first end and an opposite second end;
• (ii) a first end cap secured to said extension of filter media at said first end;
• and
• (iii) a second end cap secured to said extension of filter media at said second end;
• said second end cap including an outer surface, and a filter cartridge interlock arrangement extending from said outer surface;
• (A) said filter cartridge interlock arrangement engaging said first tooth of said filter bowl interlock arrangement, when the bowl-cartridge filter is rotated in the second direction to remove the bowl-cartridge filter from the filter head.

A method of servicing a bowl-cartridge filter operably installed on a filter head;

• the bowl-cartridge filter including a bowl and a cartridge filter selectively removable from the bowl;
• the cartridge filter including an extension of filter media between first and second opposite end caps;
• the method including:
• (a) rotating the bowl relative to the filter head to release the bowl from the filter head;
• (b) while rotating the bowl relative to the filter head, simultaneously rotating the cartridge filter relative to the filter head to release the cartridge filter from the filter head;
• (i) wherein the step of simultaneously rotating the filter cartridge relative to filter head includes using an interlock arrangement on the bowl to urge an interlock arrangement extending from one of the first and second end caps on the cartridge filter in a rotary motion.