Molded filter end cap and method of manufacture
AssigneeBaldwin Filters, Inc.
InventorsJeffrey Savage, Steven J. Merritt
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A filter element including a filter media, a first end cap, and a second end cap is provided. The filter media has first and second filter ends. The first end cap is attached to the first filter end and the second end cap is attached to the second filter end. The second end cap is formed from a molded material and includes a handle structure unitarily molded therein. The handle structure includes a flange with a void formed at least partially transversely therethrough. The void is molded without a mold split such that no mold split parting line is formed on the second end cap. In one embodiment, the void is formed in the flange of the handle structure using a grommet molded therein.
Claims13
A filter element, comprising:
- a filter media having first and second filter ends;
- a first end cap attached to the first filter end;
- a second end cap attached to the second filter end, the second end cap formed from a molded material and including a handle structure unitarily molded therein, the handle structure including a flange with a void formed at least partially transversely therethrough, the void molded without a mold split such that no mold split parting line is formed on the second end cap;
- the molded material being molded directly to the filter element;
- and
- wherein the second end cap includes a side wall progressing around the handle structure, and wherein the void opens toward diametrically opposed portions of the side wall, and wherein a portion of the void and the flange are disposed above a rim of the side wall.
A filter element, comprising:
- a filter media having first and second filter ends;
- a first end cap attached to the first filter end;
- a second end cap attached to the second filter end, the second end cap formed from a molded material and including a handle structure unitarily molded therein, the handle structure including a flange with a void formed at least partially transversely therethrough, the void molded without a mold split such that no mold split parting line is formed on the second end cap;
- the molded material being molded directly to the filter element;
- and
- wherein the second end cap is a closed end cap including a circumferential side wall and a solid floor extending radially inwardly from the circumferential side wall, the floor unitarily molded with a lower portion of the side wall such that the floor and side wall form a recess in the second end cap, the handle structure projecting from the floor.
A filter element comprising:
- a filter media having first and second filter ends;
- a first end cap attached to the first filter end;
- a second end cap attached to the second filter end, the second end cap formed from a molded material and including a handle structure unitarily molded therein, the handle structure including a flange with a void formed at least partially transversely therethrough, the void molded without a mold split such that no mold split parting line is formed on the second end cap;
- wherein the filter media is embedded into a side wall above a floor in surrounding relation to the handle structure.
A filter element, comprising:
- a filter media having first and second filter ends;
- a first end cap attached to the first filter end;
- a second end cap attached to the second filter end, the second end cap formed from polyurethane having a free rise surface and including a handle structure unitarily molded therein, the handle structure including a flange having a grommet molded therein, the grommet defining an aperture passing transversely through the flange.
A filter element, comprising:
- a filter media having first and second filter ends;
- a first end cap attached to the first filter end;
- a free rise molded second urethane end cap being formed around the second filter end and including a handle structure unitarily molded therein, the handle structure including a flange with a void formed at least partially transversely therethrough.
A filter element, comprising:
- a filter media having first and second filter ends;
- a first end cap attached to the first filter end;
- a second end cap attached to the second filter end, the second end cap formed from a molded material and including a handle structure unitarily molded therein, the handle structure including a flange with a void formed at least partially transversely therethrough, the void molded without a mold split such that no mold split parting line is formed on the second end cap;
- the molded material being molded directly to the filter element;
- and
- wherein the molded material has a free rise surface formed by an open molding technique.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.