Molded Filter End Cap And Method Of Manufacture
AssigneeBaldwin Filters, Inc.
InventorsJeffrey Savage, Steven J. Merritt
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A filter element including a filter media, a first end cap, and a second end cap is provided. The filter media has first and second filter ends. The first end cap is attached to the first filter end and the second end cap is attached to the second filter end. The second end cap is formed from a molded material and includes a handle structure unitarily molded therein. The handle structure includes a flange with a void formed at least partially transversely therethrough. The void is molded without a mold split such that no mold split parting line is formed on the second end cap. In one embodiment, the void is formed in the flange of the handle structure using a grommet molded therein.
Claims25
A filter element, comprising:
- a filter media having first and second filter ends;
- a first end cap attached to the first filter end;
- a second end cap attached to the second filter end, the second end cap formed from a molded material and including a handle structure unitarily molded therein, the handle structure including a flange with a void formed at least partially transversely therethrough, the void molded without a mold split such that no mold split parting line is formed on the second end cap.
The filter element of claim 6, wherein the radially-outwardly projecting locating lugs are aligned with the flange of the handle structure and include an angled lower section for guiding the filter element.
A filter element, comprising:
- a filter media having first and second filter ends;
- a first end cap attached to the first filter end;
- a second end cap attached to the second filter end, the second end cap formed from a molded material and including a handle structure unitarily molded therein, the handle structure including a flange having a grommet molded therein, the grommet defining an aperture passing transversely through the flange.
A method of molding an end cap for a filter element, the method comprising the steps of:
- inserting a grommet into a mold body such that an outer surface of the grommet sealingly engages opposing walls of the mold body and forms an internal cavity radially inwardly of the grommet;
- dispensing an end cap material into the mold body and around the grommet, the internal cavity remaining free of the end cap material;
- and
- collectively extracting the end cap material and the grommet from the mold body after the end cap material has solidified such that the grommet provides a void.
A method of molding an end cap for a filter element, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a tool in a mold body such that the tool occupies a portion of the mold body;
- dispensing an end cap material into the mold body and around the tool, the tool preventing the portion of the mold body occupied by the tool from receiving the end cap material;
- removing the tool from the mold body after the end cap material has solidified;
- and
- extracting the end cap material from the mold body such that the portion of the mold body previously occupied by the tool provides a void.
A filter element assembly, comprising:
- a filter housing;
- and
- a filter element including:
- a filter media having first and second filter ends;
- a first end cap attached to the first filter end;
- and
- a second end cap attached to the second filter end, the second end cap formed from a molded material and including a handle structure unitarily molded therein, the handle structure including a flange having a void formed transversely through the flange, the second end cap further including at least two locating lugs, the at least two locating lugs approximately one hundred and eighty degrees apart and collectively providing sufficient width to retain the filter element in position within the filter housing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.