Replacement filter cartridge assembly

A replacement filter cartridge assembly for use in filtering a liquid, which comprises:

• a filter cartridge element, the filter cartridge element including opposite first and second non-porous, rigid end caps and a pleated filter medium interposed between the end caps and arranged in a cylindrically shaped configuration to define a central bore extending longitudinally through the filter cartridge element, each of the first end cap and the second end cap having opposite inner and outer surfaces, and the second end cap having an opening formed through the thickness thereof and being in communication with the central bore, the first and second end caps providing longitudinal support to the pleated filter medium, the second end cap including a flange formed on the outer surface thereof, the flange being annular shaped and surrounding the perimeter of the second end cap opening, the flange having inner and outer surfaces;
• and
• a reusable supporting core assembly, the supporting core assembly including a tubular core having opposite first and second ends, and further including a support member mounted on the second end thereof, the support member including opposite inner and outer surfaces and opposite top and bottom surfaces, the inner surface of the support member being threaded, the outer diameter of the tubular core being less than the inner diameters of the second end cap opening and the central bore of the filter cartridge element to allow the tubular core to be received by the central bore and to allow the supporting core assembly to be removably mounted on the filter cartridge element, the outer diameter of the tubular core substantially contacting the pleated filter medium of the filter cartridge element to provide lateral support to the pleated filter medium, when the supporting core assembly is mounted thereon, the inner surface of the flange engaging the outer surface of the support member, the tubular core having a predetermined length such that the first end thereof is engagable with the inner surface of the first end cap, and the bottom surface of the support member being engagable with the outer surface of the second end cap thereby providing longitudinal support to the filter cartridge element when the supporting core assembly is mounted thereon, the supporting core assembly being mountable on the filter cartridge element and removable therefrom for reuse.

A reusable supporting core assembly for use with a filter cartridge element, the filter cartridge element having first and second non-porous, rigid end caps and a pleated filter medium interposed between the end caps and arranged in a cylindrically shaped configuration to define a central bore extending longitudinally through the filter cartridge element, each of the first and second end caps having opposite inner and outer surfaces, the second end cap having an opening formed through the thickness thereof and being in communication with the central bore, the reusable supporting core assembly comprising:

• a tubular core, the tubular core having opposite first and second axial ends;
• and
• a sealing end cap, the sealing end cap being mounted on the second axial end of the tubular core, the sealing end cap having opposite inner and outer surfaces;
• the outer diameter of the tubular core being less than the inner diameters of the second end opening and the central bore of the filter cartridge element to allow the tubular core to be received by the central bore and to allow the tubular core to be removably mounted on the filter cartridge element, the outer diameter of the tubular core substantially contacting the filter cartridge element to provide lateral support to the filter cartridge element when the supporting core assembly is mounted thereon;
• the tubular core having a predetermined length such that the first axial end thereof is adapted to engage the first end cap of the filter cartridge element, and the inner surface of the sealing end cap is adapted to engage the outer surface of the second end cap of the filter cartridge element to provide longitudinal support to the filter cartridge element when the supporting core assembly is mounted thereon, the supporting core assembly being adapted to be mounted on the filter cartridge element and removable therefrom for reuse.

A filter cartridge element for use with a reusable supporting core assembly, the supporting core assembly including a tubular core having opposite first and second axial ends, and a sealing end cap mounted on the second end thereof, the sealing end cap having opposite inner and outer surfaces, the filter cartridge element comprising;

• opposite first and second non-porous, rigid end caps;
• and
• a pleated filter medium interposed between the end caps and arranged in a cylindrically shaped configuration to define a central bore extending longitudinally through the filter cartridge element, each of the first and second end caps having opposite inner and outer surfaces, the second end cap having an opening formed through the thickness thereof and being in communication with the central bore, the inner diameter of the second end cap opening and the central bore of the filter cartridge element being greater than the outer diameter of the tubular core of the reusable supporting core assembly to allow the tubular core to be received by the central bore and to allow the supporting core assembly to be removably mounted on the filter cartridge element;
• the longitudinal length of the filter cartridge element with respect to the tubular core being such that inner surface of the first end cap is adapted to engage the first axial end of the tubular core, the outer diameter of the tubular core substantially contacting the pleated filter medium to provide lateral support to the pleated filter medium, and the outer surface of the second end cap of the filter cartridge element is adapted to engage the inner surface of the sealing end cap when the filter cartridge element is mounted on the supporting core assembly.