Patent ID: 6923910

Claim:
A connective end of a filter cartridge for providing fluid communication between a filter media chamber and a filter head having a receiving core, a first conduit and a second conduit, the connective end comprising: a substantially hollow neck configured to engage the filter head receiving core, the neck defining a distal end portion, an elongated portion and a proximal end portion for mating with the filter media chamber; a tubular member disposed axially in the neck, the tubular member defining an inner axial passage therein and a radially outer axial passage within the neck, the outer axial passage being bounded by the periphery of the tubular member and inner surface of the neck, wherein the inner axial passage and the outer axial passage provide independent conduits for dual fluid flow through the neck; a tubular member opening in the distal end portion of the neck for fluid flow therethrough; at least one outer axial passage opening in the elongated portion of the neck for fluid flow therethrough, a bypass outer axial passage opening in the distal end portion of the neck for bypass fluid flow therethrough; a proximal radial seal disposed along the outer periphery of the elongated portion of the neck adjacent the proximal end portion for providing a substantially water-tight engagement between the neck and the receiving core when the neck is inserted therein; and a distal radial seal disposed along the outer periphery of the elongated portion of the neck adjacent the distal end portion for providing a substantially water-tight engagement between the neck and the receiving core when the neck is inserted therein, wherein the proximal and distal radial seals maintain the integrity of fluid communication between the first conduit and the at least one outer axial passage opening and between the second conduit and the tubular opening and the bypass outer axial passage opening, respectively, when the neck is inserted within the receiving core.