Patent ID: 6922894

Claim:
A method for constructing a fluid filter; the method comprising: (a) providing a housing having a closed end and an open end; (b) mounting a filter element and a die cast baffle plate assembly into the housing through the open end; (i) the baffle plate including a first axial face with an exterior top end surface and an outer circumferential wall circumscribing the first axial face; the first axial face being in a plane orthogonal to the outer circumferential wall; (ii) the outer wall being an outer radial surface, groove-free, and without any seats for holding sealing gaskets therein; (iii) the first axial face defining at least a first sealing groove; (A) the first sealing groove being a continuous groove extending into the first axial face to form a seat; (B) the first sealing groove being cast into the first axial face; (C) a sealing gasket oriented in the seat of the first sealing groove; and (c) bending a portion of the housing against the sealing gasket to form a seal between the housing and the baffle plate.