EXTENSION AND LOCKING ASSEMBLY FOR DRIPLESS ELEMENT AND CONTAINER THEREFORE

摘要

A filter assembly (30) includes housing body (32) and a cover (34) enclosing a replaceable filter element (36). A support core (36) in the housing body (32) includes an extension and locking assembly (70). The element (36) includes a ring of filtration media (120) with a pair of end caps (114, 122). One end cap (122) includes a central opening (124) such that the element (36) can be received over the support core (56). The extension and locking assembly (70) operates to prevent the cover (34) from being attached to the housing body (32) without a proper filter element installed. The extension and locking assembly (70) includes a bypass member (76) and a locking member (74), which are slideably located relative to each other and spring biased outwardly from the support core (56). The locking member (74) urges the bypass member (76) against a step (68) in the support core (56) to maintain the extension and locking assembly (70) in an outward position. The other end cap (114) of the filter element includes internal protrusions (116) which engage the locking member (74) when the filter element (36) is installed in the housing body (32) to disengage the bypass member (76) from the support core (56), and allow the bypass member (76) and locking member (74) to move inwardly into the housing body (32). The filter element (36) can be located in a fluid-tight, incineratable storage container (164). The storage container (164) includes a cup-shaped body (166) and a lid (168), which are easily connectable to each other. The body (166) can be used to remove a spent element from the housing body (32), and includes a resilient retaining device (174) designed to engage and retain an appropriate part of the filter element (36).