Peter S Tzakis, 574019 Idlewild Ln, Naperville, IL 60564

5766472, Jun 16, 1998

Oct 29, 1996

8/738642

Peter Tzakis - Naperville IL

Illinois Tool Works Inc. - Glenview IL

B01D 2905

210485

A method and apparatus for a filter assembly having a filter element with a plurality of openings encapsulated in a filter element carrier in a first molding operation, which may include formation of first and second channels on first and second side portions of the filter element carrier. One or more first holes are also formed through the filter element carrier in the first operation, wherein the first holes interconnect the first side portion of the filter element carrier and the second side portion of the filter element carrier so as to expose filter element portions encapsulated therebetween. A first sealing element is formed on the first side portion of the filter element and a second sealing element is formed on the second side portion of the filter element with a molten sealing element material in a second molding operation. The first sealing element formed on the first side portion of the filter element carrier is interconnected to the second sealing element formed on the second side portion of the filter element carrier by a third sealing element formed through openings of the filter element portion exposed by the first holes through the filter element carrier so as to form a unitary sealing element.