A filter assembly employs radially inwardly and outwardly displaced portions
of
a peripheral roll seam on the cartridge as components of a cartridge compatibility
matrix. A substantially annular space, the radial configuration of which varies
with the convoluted roll seam, is defined between the roll seam and a cylindrical
wall of the cartridge end cap. The base includes an axially projecting receptacle
wall that terminates in a coded lip to define a receptacle for receiving the cartridge
end cap. The cartridge mounting system requires axial reception of the coded lip
into the substantially annular space of the filter cartridge. The coded lip is
configured to block reception and mating of any filter cartridge whose roll seam
defines a substantially annular space of incompatible radial configuration. The
number, configuration and location of inwardly and outwardly displaced portions
of the roll seam may be varied to provide a variety of unique compatibility matrices.
