WIX Filters Awarded Two Patents for Technological Innovations

Air and Fuel Filter Inventions Reflect Filter Brand's Longstanding
Commitment to Engineering Excellence

 

GASTONIA, N.C. (July 17, 2006) - WIX Filters recently received two
United States patents for advancements in filtration technology, the
latest accomplishments in the brand's 67-year history of engineering
excellence and innovation.

            Designed for use in heavy duty applications, the new patents
represent significant improvements to standard filter design and
manufacturing processes. 

            U.S. patent No. 7,041,158, issued for a pre-molded air
filter end cap and method of manufacturing an air filter, protects an
invention that can lower manufacturing costs and improve filter
reliability and sealing characteristics. Although they may be used in
any filter system, the patented end caps are designed primarily for use
on air filters in heavy duty applications such as power generators,
stationary engines, earth movers, and over the road trucks. 

            Similarly, U.S. patent No. 7,001,440 was issued for a fluid
filter assembly with a fin array that can increase filter media life and
capacity while reducing the total space consumed by the media. Designed
for - but not limited to - use in filtration for internal combustion
engines, the invention features annular filter elements with fins that
encourage mixing of contaminated inlet air to increase capacity and
efficiency. 

            "Innovative technological advancements are the key to
success in today's highly competitive filter market," said Bill Stamey,
heavy duty engineering manager for WIX Filters. "Our engineers continue
the long tradition here at WIX of giving our customers innovative
products that enhance filter performance and maximize our customers'
return on investment in maintaining their equipment."

            In the past two years alone, WIX Filters has earned a total
of 12 U.S. patents for engineering advancements in heavy duty
filtration. Many of the technologies protected by these patents have
been incorporated into WIX products, including a new one-part molded
self-venting valve for spin-on fuel/water separator filters that reduces
fuel spillage and water drain times (WIX 33406), extended drain spin-on
oil filters that employ Spin-Flow(r) technology to increase filter life
and oil change intervals (WIX 57745XD), and heavy duty air filters with
soft polyurethane sealing ends and a metal end cap/handle on the closed
end to reduce installation and removal times.

"For almost 70 years, WIX Filters has provided our customers with
premium quality filters designed to exceed their performance demands,"
said Bruce Johnston, brand manager for WIX Filters. "From the first
conical air filter and combination by-pass and anti-drain back valve to
our most recent advancements in heavy duty filtration, our engineers
continue to build on the brand's tradition of automotive, industrial and
agricultural innovation. We are proud to add these latest
state-of-the-art technologies to WIX's catalog of engineering
accomplishments."

            Other examples of WIX's longstanding commitment to
manufacturing excellence and innovation include the revolutionary
spin-on oil filter. Patented by WIX in 1954, today the spin-on oil
filter is installed at the factory as standard on most automobiles. WIX
also holds many U.S. patents for performance-enhancing innovations such
as a suspended element fuel filter; a flow inverter for liquid filters;
a dual phase panel air filter; a self-venting valve for fuel filters; a
flow separator; and a firm frame panel air filter. WIX's Extended Drain
"XD" heavy duty oil filtration design, reverse-flow liquid spin-on
filter, snap-in heavy duty radial lip seal air filter insert, low waste
heavy duty oil filtration system that reduces environmental oil filter
waste by 95 percent, and the WIX Racing air filter are other examples of
WIX innovations.  

Since 1939, WIX Filters has been an innovator in filtration products.
WIX designs, manufactures and distributes products for automotive,
diesel, agricultural, industrial and specialty filter markets. Its
product line includes oil, air, cabin interior, fuel, coolant,
transmission and hydraulic filters for automobiles, trucks and off-road
equipment. WIX, a member of the Affinia family of brands, is the number
one filter in NASCAR and an exclusive NASCAR Performance Product. Its
NASCAR relationship also includes the WIX Filters Lap Leader Award,
which recognizes the drivers leading the most laps in each race. WIX
Filters' Internet address is www.wixfilters.com.