Patent ID: 8293103

Claim:
A spin-on filter cartridge comprising: (a) a housing having a closed end, an open end, and an interior volume; (b) a filter element operably oriented in the housing interior volume; (c) a baffle plate operably oriented over the housing open end; the baffle plate defining a central flow aperture; the baffle plate having an outer surface and an opposite inner surface, the inner surface facing the housing interior volume; (i) the baffle plate defining a continuous groove in the outer surface immediately adjacent to and forming part of the central flow aperture; (ii) the continuous groove defining a radial sealing surface and a support surface; the support surface being orthogonal to the radial surface; the continuous groove being seal member free and constructed to receive a seal member from an operably placed filter head; (iii) the baffle plate defining an inlet arrangement and an outlet arrangement; (1) the outlet arrangement comprising the central flow aperture; and (2) the inlet arrangement comprising a plurality of fluid apertures circumscribing the central flow aperture; (iv) the baffle plate including a central hub defining the central flow aperture; the central hub having an inner, threaded wall; (v) the baffle plate including a plurality of ribs extending from the central hub; the inlet arrangement being defined by a region between adjacent ribs; and (d) a seal arrangement secured to the baffle plate spaced from and circumscribing the continuous groove; (i) the seal arrangement being seated within a seal arrangement groove in the outer surface of the baffle plate; (ii) the support surface of the continuous groove being located axially closer to the closed end of the housing than the seal arrangement groove is located axially relative to the closed end of the housing; and (iii) the support surface of the continuous groove being located between an end of the threaded wall and the seal arrangement groove.