Air filter element with composite molded end cap
AssigneeBaldwin Filters, Inc.
InventorBrian Ehrenberg
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus are provided for constructing a filter element, having enhanced structural capabilities, through use of a molded end cap having first and second foam portions of differing physical properties meeting at a common juncture of the first and second foam portions and simultaneously cured with one another.
Claims37
A method for constructing a filter element having a tubular-shaped media pack, defining a longitudinal axis about which the tubular-shaped media pack is disposed, and terminating at one end thereof in an end cap, the method comprising molding the end cap from first and second foam portions of differing physical properties meeting at a common juncture thereof and simultaneously cured with one another, wherein the second foam portion is molded from a material more rigid than the first foam portion, such that the second foam portion extends inward from an inner periphery of the first foam portion.
A filter element comprising:
- a media pack, defining a longitudinal axis about which the media pack is disposed, the media pack terminating at axial ends thereof;
- and
- an end cap, molded onto the media pack at one axial end thereof, and having first and second foam portions of differing physical properties meeting at a common juncture thereof and simultaneously cured with one another;
- wherein the first foam portion is molded as an outer annular portion of the end cap and made from a compliant material;
- and
- wherein the second foam portion is molded from a material more rigid than the first foam portion, and extends inward from an inner periphery of the first foam portion.
A filter element comprising:
- a tubular-shaped media pack, defining an inner boundary thereof, a longitudinal axis about which the media pack is disposed, and an axial end of the media pack;
- an inner liner disposed along and conforming substantially to the inner boundary of the media pack;
- and
- a closed end cap, molded onto the axial end of the media pack and inner liner, and having first and second simultaneously cured foam portions thereof meeting at a common juncture of the first and second foam portions disposed substantially at the inner boundary of the media pack, with the first foam portion of the closed end cap being disposed radially outward of the second foam portion and the second foam portion having greater rigidity than the first foam portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.