Patent ID: 7540957

Claim:
A method for assembling a water filter element in a housing to provide a replaceable filter cartridge, the housing having an open operative end defined by an annular reduced diameter portion and the filter element having an end enclosure with an axially extending neck sealingly engaging the interior of the reduced diameter portion, extending axially therepast to a stop position in which the end closure is in engagement with the housing, and having an inlet and an outlet for water, the method comprising the steps of: (1) providing the opposite end of the housing with an annular opening for receipt of the filter element; (2) inserting the filter element axially through the annular opening until the element reaches the stop position; (3) attaching a retaining ring to the neck of the filter element at a position axially beyond and in engagement with the end of the reduced diameter portion of the housing when the filter element is in the stop position to retain the element from reverse axial movement; and, (4) attaching a housing end cap to the housing annular opening to seal the opening and hold the filter element in the stop position.