Filter cartridge assembly having a reusable support core structure

A fluid-filtration assembly comprising a filter housing having a seat cup, and a filter cartridge assembly removably coupled to said seat cup within said housing, wherein said filter cartridge assembly comprises:

• a filter cartridge having a generally cylindrical filter medium which defines a cylindrically shaped core space, and a pair of end caps fixed to opposite ends of said filter medium,
• at least one of said end caps being annular and having an interior cylindrical surface defining an interior space in alignment with said core space;
• a truncated generally conically shaped seal skirt operatively associated with said at least one of said end caps;
• and
• a reusable support core structure which includes,
• (a) a base which integrally includes (i) a seat boss at one end thereof, (ii) a connection boss at another end thereof, and (iii) a seal flange concentrically disposed between said seat and connection bosses and defining a truncated conical seal surface which is conformably shaped to said conically shaped seal skirt, and
• (b) a tubular perforated rigid core element fixed to and extending outwardly from said connection boss at said another end of said base, wherein
• said filter cartridge is sleeved over said rigid core element such that said at least one of said end caps is adjacent said connection boss of said base, and wherein
• said connection boss and said at least one end cap include coupling means for removably mechanically coupling said connection boss of said base and said at least one end cap to one another and thereby cause said seal skirt to be sealingly engaged with said conical seal surface.