Bowl-cartridge filter having interlock mechanism and methods

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 cartridge filter 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;
• (A) the bowl interlock arrangement including at least a first tooth including an end flank, a heel, and a toe;
• the toe including at least one bevel surface;
• the bevel surface extending at least partially from said toe to said heel and being angled obliquely relative to the end flank.

A filter cartridge for use in a bowl-cartridge filter;

• the bowl-cartridge filter 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 including a bowl and a cartridge filter for selective mounting in and removal from the bowl;
• the filter cartridge comprising:
• (a) an extension of filter media;
• said extension having a first end and an opposite second end;
• (b) a first end cap secured to said extension of filter media at said first end;
• and
• (c) 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;
• (i) said filter cartridge interlock arrangement including at least a first tooth and a second tooth extending from said outer surface;
• said first tooth and second tooth each being oriented to engage the filter bowl, when the filter cartridge is mounted in the filter bowl and the bowl is rotated in the second direction to remove the bowl-cartridge filter from the filter head;
• (ii) each of said first tooth and second tooth including first and second end flanks, a side flank, a heel, and a toe;
• (A) said first and second end flanks extending from said heel to said toe;
• (B) said side flank extending from said heel to said toe and intersecting each of said first and second end flanks;
• (C) said toe including at least a first bevel surface extending from said first end flank and being angled obliquely relative to said first end flank;
• (D) said toe of each of said first tooth and second tooth further including a second bevel surface extending from and being angled obliquely relative to said second end flank;
• (E) said first bevel surface of each of said first tooth and second tooth is oriented at an angle of 10-60° relative to the respective first end flank of each of said first tooth and second tooth;
• and
• (F) said second bevel surface of each of said first tooth and second tooth is oriented at an angle of 10-60° relative to the respective second end flank of each of said first tooth and second tooth.

A filter cartridge for use in a bowl-cartridge filter;

• the bowl-cartridge filter 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 including a bowl and a cartridge filter for selective mounting in and removal from the bowl;
• the filter cartridge comprising:
• (a) an extension of filter media;
• said extension having a first end and an opposite second end;
• (b) a first end cap secured to said extension of filter media at said first end;
• and
• (c) 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;
• (i) said filter cartridge interlock arrangement including at least 3 teeth;
• each of said teeth including:
• (A) a first end flank, a second end flank, a side flank, a heel, and a toe;
• (1) each of the first end flanks and second end flanks extending from a respective heel to a respective toe;
• (2) each of the side flanks extending from a respective heel to a respective toe and intersecting respective first and second end flanks;
• and
• (3) each of the toes including a first bevel surface and a second bevel surface;
• the first bevel surface extending from the first end flank;
• and the second bevel surface extending from the second end flank.