Patent ID: 6843911

Claim:
A filter assembly comprising: a filter cartridge comprising: a filter element extending between axially separated first and second ends; a housing end cap having a first diameter, defining a portion of a cylindrical space and supporting the first end of the filter element, said housing end cap having a first end defining an axial opening, a generally cylindrical side wall extending from the first end to a second end including a U-shaped bend; and a housing second section defining a portion of the cylindrical space, said housing second section having a first end joined to the housing end cap second end by a roll seam, the second end of the housing second section surrounding the second end of the filter element, wherein said roll seam has a generally circular configuration at a first radial distance from a central axis, a plurality of retention tabs defined by portions of the roll seam that are outwardly displaced relative to said first radial distance to a second radial distance and at least one segment of the roll seam that is inwardly displaced relative to said first radial distance to a third radial distance; and a base for mounting the filter cartridge to filter a flow of fluid delivered to and retrieved from said filter cartridge through said base, said base comprising: a receptacle wall defining a generally cylindrical receptacle, said receptacle wall flaring radially outwardly to define an integrally extending retainer, said retainer comprising: an outer ring; a plurality of retaining lip portions inwardly projecting from said outer ring, each of said retaining lip portions angularly spaced from an adjacent retaining lip portion to define a plurality of axial slots, each of said retaining lip portions having a radially inward facing profile at a radial distance from a central axis, at least one of said inward facing profiles being interrupted by a radially inward projecting protrusion, wherein said axial slots are complementary to a location and second radial distance of said retention tabs, said inward facing profiles being complementary to the first radial distance of the generally circular portions of said roll seam and said inward projecting protrusion being complementary to the location and third radial distance of said at least one inwardly displaced segment such that said roll seam axially passes said retaining lip portions without interference, and upon subsequent angular rotation of said cartridge relative to the base, each of said retention tabs is engaged in a respective retaining channel portion defined axially above each said retaining lip portion.