Patent ID: 7247183

Claim:
A filter comprising a panel filter element lying in a lateral plane and filtering fluid flowing axially therethrough transversely to said plane, said panel filter element having a length and a width defining a perimeter lying in said plane, said panel filter element having an axial height between an inlet axial end and an outlet axial end, a gasket extending laterally outwardly from said perimeter for sealing said panel filter element in a housing, said gasket having first and second axially spaced sealing surfaces facing in opposite axial directions and defining first and second sealing planes, said gasket having a first portion between said first and second sealing surfaces, a second portion engaging said panel filter element at said perimeter, and a connecting portion extending laterally and axially between said first and second portions, said connecting portion merging with said second portion and engaging said panel filter element at an interface merge point, wherein in combination: a) both of said sealing planes are axially between said inlet and outlet axial ends of said panel filter element; and b) said merge point is axially between said first and second sealing planes, wherein said first sealing surface faces axially in a first axial direction toward a first of said axial ends of said panel filter element, said second sealing surface faces axially in a second opposite axial direction toward the second of said axial ends of said panel filter element, and said first sealing plane is axially between said merge point and said first axial end of said panel filter element, wherein said second portion of said gasket engages said panel filter element along an interface engagement surface spanning axially across said first sealing plane, wherein said engagement surface has a first section extending from said first sealing plane in said first axial direction, and has a second section extending from said first sealing plane in said second axial direction, wherein said second section of said engagement surface extends in said second axial direction to said merge point whereat said connecting portion extends laterally outwardly and axially in said second axial direction to said first portion of said gasket and is laterally spaced from said panel filter element by a lateral gap therebetween, the entire said lateral gap being axially spaced from said first sealing plane along said second axial direction.