Patent ID: 7070692

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 sealing device bounding the second central opening; and a plurality of keys, each key having i) an axially inner end edge fixed to and supported by the second end cap, ii) a distal, axially outer free end edge, and iii) a radially inner side edge freely supported and spaced radially outward from the second central opening and radially inward from the first central opening.