Spin-on filter with external threads and methods

1. A filter arrangement for threadably securing to a filter head, the filter arrangement comprising:

(a) a metal housing having a surrounding wall defining an interior volume, an open mouth providing access to the interior volume, and an end opposite of the open mouth;

(i) the surrounding wall having an exterior and an interior;

(b) a filter media construction operably held within the interior volume;

(c) a sleeve, distinct from the housing, non-removably secured to the exterior of the surrounding wall adjacent to the housing mouth and extending partially along the surrounding wall; the sleeve having an exterior and an interior;

(i) the exterior of the sleeve defining mounting threads constructed and arranged to removably mount with the filter head, when the filter arrangement is secured to the filter head;

(ii) the interior of the sleeve being against the exterior of the surrounding wall; and

(d) a first seal member held by the sleeve to create a radial seal with a filter head, when the filter arrangement is secured to the filter head; the first seal member being axially between the mounting threads and the open mouth of the housing.

2. A filter arrangement according to claim 1 wherein:

(a) the end of the housing defines an opening adapted to receive a drain valve.

3. A filter arrangement according to claim 1 wherein:

(a) the end of the housing is closed and not operably openable.

4. A filter arrangement according to claim 1 wherein:

(a) the housing surrounding wall has a plurality of tabs extending radially outwardly from the open mouth;

(b) the sleeve has a first rim adjacent to the open mouth; the first rim defining a plurality of slots, each slot in the plurality of slots receiving one of the tabs; and

(c) the sleeve is non-removably secured to the housing by the tabs being formed over the slots.

5. A filter arrangement according to claim 4 wherein:

(a) the tabs are in a crimped position relative to the slots.

6. A filter arrangement according to claim 4 wherein:

(a) the tabs are in a folded position over the slots.

7. A filter arrangement according to claim 4 wherein:

(a) the interior of the sleeve defines a seal gland holding a second seal member forming a radial seal between and against the sleeve and the exterior of the surrounding wall.

8. A filter arrangement according to claim 7 wherein:

(a) the exterior of the sleeve defines a radial groove holding the first seal member.

9. A filter arrangement according to claim 1 wherein:

(a) the surrounding wall has a flange extending radially from adjacent the open mouth; the flange defining a plurality of axial through-slots; and

(b) the sleeve is an injection molded part secured to the exterior of the surrounding wall with portions of the sleeve being secured within the axial through-slots through injection molding.

10. A filter arrangement according to claim 9 wherein:

(a) the exterior of the sleeve defines a radial groove holding the first seal member.

11. A filter arrangement according to claim 1 wherein:

(a) the surrounding wall includes a plurality of flanges extending radially outwardly from adjacent to the open mouth; the sleeve having a first rim engaging against the flanges; and

(b) the sleeve includes a plurality of ramped tabs extending axially between the flanges.

12. A filter arrangement according to claim 11 further comprising:

(a) a locking collar defining a plurality of slots; wherein the locking collar is oriented within the surrounding wall with the ramped tabs being received within and snapped over the slots in the locking collar.

13. A filter arrangement according to claim 12 wherein:

(a) the interior of the sleeve defines a seal gland holding a second seal member forming a radial seal between and against the sleeve and the exterior of the surrounding wall; and

(b) the exterior of the sleeve defines a radial groove holding the first seal member.

14. A filter arrangement according to claim 1 wherein:

(a) the filter media construction includes:

(i) pleated media arranged in a cylindrical form to define an open filter interior;

(ii) a first end cap secured to an end of the pleated media; and

(iii) a filter element seal member held by the first end cap.

15. A method of making a filter arrangement; the method comprising:

(a) providing a metal housing having a surrounding wall defining an interior volume, an open mouth providing access to the interior volume, and an end opposite of the open mouth;

(i) the surrounding wall having an exterior and an interior;

(b) orienting a filter media construction within the interior volume;

(c) and orienting a sleeve, distinct from the housing, around the exterior of the surrounding wall adjacent to the housing mouth and extending partially along the surrounding wall; the sleeve having an exterior and an interior;

(i) the exterior of the sleeve defining mounting threads constructed and arranged to removably mount with the filter head, when the filter arrangement is secured to the filter head;

(ii) the interior of the sleeve being against the exterior of the surrounding wall;

(d) non-removably securing the sleeve to the housing; and

(e) providing a first seal member held by the sleeve to create a radial seal with a filter head, when the filter arrangement is secured to the filter head; the first seal member being axially between the mounting threads and the open mouth of the housing.

16. A method according to claim 15 wherein:

(a) the step of securing includes bending tabs on the housing into slots in the sleeve.