Filter arrangements; components; assemblies; and, methods

1. A filter cartridge comprising:

(a) a media pack including media and having a first end;

(b) a first end piece having a central aperture therethrough and an end of the media pack embedded therein; the first end piece comprising:

(i) an end cap section adjacent the media pack first end; and,

(ii) a seal support section defining a seal recess;

(A) the seal support section projecting axially away from the media pack; and,

(B) the seal support section defining a seal support wall that has a portion that slants radially in a direction of extension away from the end cap section, to define the seal recess; and,

(iii) the end cap section and the seal support section being integral with one another; and,

(c) a housing seal member non-removably secured within the seal recess and having a seal surface; the seal surface being on a side of the support section corresponding to the seal recess; and, the seal surface being configured to form a radially directed seal with a housing component, when the filter cartridge is installed for use.

2. A filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein:

(a) the seal support section extends radially at an acute angle within the range of 30°-80°, inclusive, to form the seal recess.

3. A filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein:

(a) the housing seal member is preformed; and,

(i) the first end piece is an end piece molded-in-place on the media while securing the preformed housing seal member in place.

4. A filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein:

(a) the housing seal member comprises a portion of a resilient member having a seal surface;

(i) the resilient member extending, axially, further away from the media pack than does the seal support.

5. A filter cartridge according to claim 4 wherein:

(a) the seal support extends to a seal support tip remote from the media pack; and,

(b) the resilient member extends to a tip remote from the media pack;

(i) the tip of the resilient seal member remote from the media comprises a plurality of spaced projections extending, axially, away from the media pack.

6. A filter cartridge according to claim 5 wherein:

(a) a portion of the tip of the resilient member between the spaced projections, also extends, axially, further away from the media pack than does the seal support.

7. A filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein:

(a) the seal support wall slants radially inwardly in extension away from the end cap section; and,

(b) the housing seal member is configured to form a radially inwardly directed seal with a housing component, when the filter cartridge is installed for use.

8. A filter cartridge according to claim 7 wherein:

(a) the media pack surrounds and defines an open filter interior.

9. A filter cartridge according to claim 7 wherein:

(a) the end piece includes an end cap section that extends completely across, and closes, the first end of the media pack.

10. A filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein:

(a) the first end piece includes an end cap section and a seal support section that are molded integral with one another.

11. A filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein:

(a) the media pack surrounds and defines a central cartridge axis; and,

(b) the seal support includes a support wall that extends, relative to a plane perpendicular to the central axis, at an acute angle within the range of 45°-80°, inclusive, in extension axially away from the media pack.

12. A filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein:

(a) the media pack has an outer perimeter; and,

(b) the end cap section of the first end piece does not extend radially beyond an adjacent portion of the outer perimeter of the media pack any more than 2 mm.

13. A filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein:

(a) the media pack has an inner perimeter; and,

(b) the end cap section of the first end piece does not extend radially beyond an adjacent portion of the inner perimeter of the media pack any more than 2 mm.

14. A filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein:

(a) the first end piece comprises a molding having a density of at least 0.4 g/cc.

15. A filter cartridge according to claim 14 wherein:

(a) the seal member comprises a molding having a density of no greater than 0.32 g/cc.

16. A filter cartridge according to 1 wherein:

(a) the first end piece comprises a first molding having a first density; and,

(b) the seal member comprises a second molding having a second density;

(i) the first density being greater than the second density.

17. A filter cartridge according to claim 16 wherein:

(a) the first density is at least 0.2 g/cc greater than the second density.

18. A filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein:

(a) the seal member comprises a molding having a hardness, Shore A, of no greater than 18.

19. A filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein:

(a) the seal member defines a seal surface having a seal surface section with a length of axial extension of at least 10 mm without a radial step therein.

20. A filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein:

(a) the housing seal member has a first portion with a first radial thickness to the seal support section; and,

(b) the housing seal member has a second portion with a second radial thickness to the seal support section;

(i) the second radial thickness being at least 5 mm greater than the first radial thickness.

21. A filter cartridge comprising:

(a) a media pack including media and having a first end;

(b) a first end piece having a central aperture therethrough and an end of the media pack embedded therein; the first end piece comprising:

(i) an end cap section adjacent the media pack first end; and,

(ii) a seal support section defining a seal recess;

(A) the seal support section projecting axially away from the media pack; and,

(B) the seal support section defining a seal support wall that has a portion that slants radially in a direction of extension away from the end cap section, to define the seal recess; and,

(iii) the end cap section and the seal support section being integral with one another; and,

(c) a housing seal member non-removably secured within the seal recess and configured to form a radially directed seal with a housing component, when the filter cartridge is installed for use;

(i) the housing seal member comprising a portion of a resilient member having a seal surface;

(A) the resilient member extending, axially, further away from the media pack than does the seal support;

(d) the seal support extending to a seal support tip remote from the media pack; and,

(e) the resilient member extending to a tip remote from the media pack;

(i) the tip of the resilient seal member remote from the media comprising a plurality of spaced projections extending, axially, away from the media pack.

22. A filter cartridge according to claim 21 wherein:

(a) a portion of the tip of the resilient member between the spaced projections, also extends, axially, further away from the media pack than does the seal support.

23. A filter cartridge comprising:

(a) a media pack including media and having a first end;

(b) a first end piece having a central aperture therethrough and an end of the media pack embedded therein; the first end piece comprising:

(i) an end cap section adjacent the media pack first end; and,

(ii) a seal support section defining a seal recess;

(A) the seal support section projecting axially away from the media pack; and,

(B) the seal support section defining a seal support wall that has a portion that slants radially in a direction of extension away from the end cap section, to define the seal recess; the seal support wall slants radially inwardly in extension away from the end cap section;

(iii) the end cap section and the seal support section being integral with one another; and,

(c) a housing seal member non-removably secured within the seal recess and configured to form a radially directed seal with a housing component, when the filter cartridge is installed for use;

(i) the housing seal member being configured to form a radially inwardly directed seal with a housing component, when the filter cartridge is installed for use.

24. A filter cartridge comprising:

(a) a media pack including media and having a first end;

(b) a first end piece having a central aperture therethrough and an end of the media pack embedded therein; the first end piece comprising:

(i) an end cap section adjacent the media pack first end; and,

(ii) a seal support section defining a seal recess;

(A) the seal support section projecting axially away from the media pack; and,

(B) the seal support section defining a seal support wall that has a portion that slants radially in a direction of extension away from the end cap section, to define the seal recess; and,

(iii) the end cap section and the seal support section being integral with one another; and,

(c) a housing seal member non-removably secured within the seal recess and configured to form a radially directed seal with a housing component, when the filter cartridge is installed for use;

(i) the seal member defining a seal surface having a seal surface section with a length of axial extension of at least 10 mm without a radial step therein.

25. A filter cartridge comprising:

(a) a media pack including media and having a first end;

(b) a first end piece having a central aperture therethrough and an end of the media pack embedded therein; the first end piece comprising:

(i) an end cap section adjacent the media pack first end; and,

(ii) a seal support section;

(A) the seal support section projecting axially away from the media pack; and,

(B) the seal support section defining a seal support wall; the seal support wall extending to a seal support tip remote from the media pack; and,

(iii) the end cap section and the seal support section being integral with one another; and,

(c) a housing seal member non-removably secured to the first end piece and configured to form a radially directed seal with a housing component, when the filter cartridge is installed for use;

(i) the housing seal member comprising a portion of a resilient member having a seal surface;

(ii) the resilient member extending to a tip remote from the media pack;

(A) the tip of the resilient seal member remote from the media comprises a plurality of spaced projections extending, axially, away from the media pack;

(iii) the resilient member extending, axially, further away from the media pack than does the seal support.

26. A filter cartridge according to claim 25 wherein:

(a) the seal support section shows radially in extension away from the end cap section.