Patent ID: 7163623

Claim:
A filter element having a ring of filter media defining a central cavity and circumscribing a central axis, said ring of filter media having a first end and a second end; first and second end caps fixed to said first and second ends, respectively, of said filter media, the second end cap having an annular end cap portion sealingly bonded to the second end of said filter media and defining a first central opening, and wherein the second end cap further has a valve-actuating portion, including a cylindrical portion internal to the media ring and connected at one axially outer end to the annular end cap portion and an annular base connected to another, axially inner end of the cylindrical portion and extending radially inward from said cylindrical portion to define a second central opening which can receive a pipe, the second central opening being co-axial with and radially smaller than the first central opening, a flexible sealing device bounding the second central opening; and a plurality of keys extending axially outwardly from the second central opening toward the first central opening, each key having i) a radially outer side fixed to and supported by the cylindrical portion, ii) a distal, axially outer end toward the second end of the element with a free edge, iii) an axially inner end toward the first end of the element, and iv) a radially inner side toward the central axis with an edge freely supported and spaced radially inward from the first central opening.