GB2342302A

GB2342302A - Cap for sealing used oil filter

Info

Publication number: GB2342302A
Application number: GB9924025A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Dario Pellegrino Loffredo
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-10-10
Filing date: 1999-10-11
Publication date: 2000-04-12
Also published as: GB9822040D0; GB9924025D0

Abstract

When a used oil filter is removed from an engine, it is sealed with a cap 10 to prevent leakage of oil. The cap 10 may be supplied as part of a new oil filter. In use, the oil filter is attached to the engine (not shown) via a threaded bore 5 and sealed by gasket 3. Oil to be filtered enters housing 1 via ports 6 and passes to the outside of the cylindrical filter element, through the element and out through central bore 4. The sealing cap 10, which is made of plastics material, has a shank 12 which screws into the threaded bore 5. Alternatively the shank has serrations, so that the cap can be pushed into engagement with the filter.

Description

OIL FILTRATION The invention relates to oil filtration, and in particular to oil filters mounted on engines such as internal combustion engines.

There is a need to replace a clogged oil filter from time to time. Unfortunately it is impossible to ensure that the used oil filter is free of liquid oil before it is removed from the associated engine, so oil always tends to drip on the garage floor, clothing, etc. It is an object of this invention to provide means for reducing the risk of oil drips when replacing a used oil filter.

According to the invention, in one aspect there is provided a method of replacing a used oil filter in a substantially drip free manner, the filter comprising a generally cup shaped housing having an open face which, in use, is to contact the body of the article containing the oil to be filtered, the method comprising disconnecting the used oil filter from the engine, thereby exposing the face of the oil filter housing and covering the exposed face with a cap in a substantially fluid tight manner.

Preferably the cap is provided with the replacement oil filter, e. g. releasably connected to the new filter housing, so that it is conveniently to hand.

In another aspect there is provided an oil filter comprising a cup shaped housing containing a fresh filter element, the cup having an open face which in use is to contact the body the oil of which is to be filtered, a cap being releasably connected to the open face.

Typically the oil filter has a threaded socket to engage a threaded shank projecting from the engine's body. Preferably the cap has a threaded shank to be received in that socket. Preferably the thread is a quick spin thread, so that it can be engaged in one or two turns.

The cap is preferably made of a plastic material such as polypropylene. The cap may be coloured, e. g. green to convey an environmentally friendly message.

The cap may be of any suitable shape and size. It may have its own gasket to match one present on the end plate in the open face of the housing.

In order that the invention may be well understood it will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying diagramatic drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view, partly cut away of one replacement oil filter; and Figure 2 is an elevation partly cut away of the filter of Figure 1.

An oil filter comprises a cup shaped metal housing 1 having a mouth covered by a plate 2 having an outer sealing gasket 3. The centre of the plate 2 has an entry socket 4 having a threaded bore 5. When the filter is in use, the bore 5 is engaged with a correspondingly threaded spigot union (not shown) of the engine so that the gasket 3 engages a sealing face extending around the union. Outlet ports (not shown) are provided between the union and the sealing face. A filter cylinder 7 is present within the housing 1 and the plate 2 has holes 6 through which, in use, oil from the outlet ports of the engine (not shown) is circulated to the outside of the filter cylinder 7, through the filter and then out through the entry socket 4 and spigot union.

According to the invention, a cap 10 is provided on top of the housing 1 of a replacement oil filter. The cap, which is preferably moulded of plastics, has a basal wall 11 dimensioned to contact the gasket 3 in a sealing manner. A shank 12 depends from the cap 10, and ends in threads 13 to engage the threaded bore 5. In use, the mechanic detaches the used oil filter from the engine and immediately engages the cap 10, removed from the replacement oil filter housing 1, with the used housing so that oil cannot drip from the used filter onto the garage floor. The used housing and the cap can be discarded together. The replacement housing can then be fitted to the engine.

Instead of being provided with the replacement oil filter, the cap could be provided separately or it could be provided with the replacement filter but not engaged thereon.

Instead of the shank 12 having threads 13, it could comprise circumferential serrations (not shown) so that the cap can be simply pushed into engagement with the new or old filter.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A method of replacing a used oil filter in a substantially drip free manner, the filter comprising a generally cup shaped housing having an open face which, in use, is to contact the body of the article containing the oil to be filtered, the method comprising disconnecting the used oil filter from the engine, thereby exposing the open face of the oil filter housing and covering the exposed face with a cap in a substantially fluid tight manner.
2. A method according to Claim 1, wherein the cap is releaseably connected to a replacement oil filter.
3. A method according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the used oil filter carrying the cap is discarded as one unit.
4. An oil filter comprising a cup shaped housing containing a fresh filter element, the cup having an open face which in use is to contact the body, the oil of which is to be filtered, a cap being releasably connected to the open face.