Patent ID: 7156991

Claim:
A filter assembly comprising a housing including an outer casing defining an interior chamber and including an inlet, an outlet, and a fluid pathway for a liquid flowing through the interior chamber wherein the liquid flowing through a first region of the interior chamber generates a first fluid pressure and a second fluid pressure lower than the first fluid pressure through a second region of the interior chamber; a filter element disposed in the interior chamber in the fluid pathway between the inlet and the outlet; a first container disposed within the interior chamber and having an exterior wall defining an interior region, said container having a first opening including a first capillary tube extending from the exterior wall and a second opening through the exterior wall spaced apart from the first opening, said first opening and said second opening providing fluid communication between the interior chamber and the interior region; and a liquid additive provided in the interior region, said additive selected to provide a beneficial property to the liquid flowing through the filter assembly, wherein the first capillary tube extends into the interior region of the container, and wherein the first capillary tube extends from the exterior wall of the container and terminates adjacent the filter element.