Filter element with threaded top endplate

A filter assembly comprising:

• a shell having a closed end, an open end and an interior space;
• a retainer secured to the open end, the retainer including a plurality of fluid flow openings extending therethrough;
• a filter element including:
• filter media suitable for filtering a fluid, the filter media is disposed in the interior space and has a first end, a second end, and defines an inner region that is surrounded by the filter media;
• a top endplate secured to the first end of the filter media, the top endplate including an opening therein that is in fluid communication with the inner region and a sleeve that is integrally formed with the top endplate so that there is no seal between the sleeve and the top endplate, the sleeve extending from the opening in a direction away from the second end to an open end thereof and defining a fluid flow passageway from the opening to the open end, the sleeve including an inner surface defining the fluid flow passageway, and at least a portion of the inner surface adjacent the open end of the sleeve is threaded;
• the top endplate further includes a flange that extends radially outward from the sleeve so as to overlap the first end of the filter media, the radially extending flange is devoid of fluid flow passageways therethrough;
• a bottom endplate secured to the second end of the filter media;
• and
• the retainer is separate from and secured to the top endplate, and the sleeve extends through the retainer to permit the open end to communicate with an exterior of the filter assembly.

A vehicle filter assembly comprising:

• a shell having a closed end, an open end and an interior space;
• a retainer secured to the open end, the retainer including a plurality of fluid flow openings extending therethrough;
• a filter element including:
• filter media suitable for filtering a fluid, the filter media is disposed in the interior space and has a first end, a second end, and defines an inner region that is surrounded by the filter media;
• a top endplate secured to the first end of the filter media, the top endplate including an opening therein that is in fluid communication with the inner region and a sleeve that is integrally formed with the top endplate so that there is no seal between the sleeve and the top endplate, the sleeve extending from the opening in a direction away from the second end to an open end thereof and defining a fluid flow passageway from the opening to the open end thereof, the sleeve including structure suitable for securing the sleeve directly to a spud of a vehicle fluid system wherein the spud is separate from the vehicle filter assembly;
• the top endplate further includes a flange that extends radially outward from the sleeve so as to overlap the first end of the filter media, the radially extending flange is devoid of fluid flow passageways therethrough;
• and
• a bottom endplate secured to the second end of the filter media;
• and
• the retainer is separate from and secured to the top endplate, and the sleeve extends through the retainer to permit the open end of the sleeve to communicate with an exterior of the filter assembly.