Panel filter elements having a pleat block and a seal member are described. The panel filter elements are arranged such that the seal members and pleat blocks can have curved and/or angled elements. The seal member of a filter element may be curved, angled, twisted, and/or has a varying cross-section. The inlet and outlet faces of the pleat block of the filter element may be curved and/or twisted instead of planar. In some arrangements, both the seal member of the filter element and the faces of the pleat blocks can be curved and/or twisted. The described filter elements may be may be flexible, such that the shape of the filter element and/or seal can conform to the shape of a filter housing, or rigid, such that the shape of the filter element remains substantially the same before and after installation into a filter housing.

A vacuum cleaner including a suction inlet, a conduit in fluid communication with the suction inlet, a filter having a valve releasably connected to a filter inlet, the filter configured to collect debris drawn through the suction inlet. The vacuum cleaner further comprising a release mechanism moveable from a first position to a second position. In the first position, the filter is in fluid communication with the conduit to collect debris with the valve being open, and in the second position, the filter is disconnected from the conduit with the valve being closed. Movement of the release mechanism between the first and second positions closes the valve.

A filter element for exchangeable installation into a filter housing has an annular filter medium with an annular seal secured directly or indirectly onto the first axial end. The annular seal having a positioning and sealing section and concentric annular sealing rings between which a sealing groove is formed. A radially outer side of the radially outer annular ring having a key locking system formed by a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart radial projections, spaced apart by radial indentations, adapted to positively engage cooperative configured geometries or key locking features of a filter housing when in an installed state, thereby locking a rotational orientation and position of the filter element.

An air filter assembly includes a filter element having at least one variable dimension, and a frame for engaging and supporting the filter element. The frame may include a plurality of linear segments forming a rectangular configuration, and a plurality of clips for connecting the linear segments together at corners thereof. The linear segments may be L-channel segments, C-channel segments, or may be of other form. Clips may be used for connecting the linear segments together at the corners. The filter element may have a pattern of creases or fold lines to facilitate folding thereof from an expanded configuration to a reduced configuration. A grate may be included for spanning an area bounded by the frame to support the filter element. The grate may have multiple arms and a central hub. An edge treatment may form a seal between the filter element and the frame.

The present invention relates to the field of machines for cleaning, particularly vacuum cleaning devices. There is disclosed a filter cartridge for a vacuum cleaner comprising first and second opposite end walls, a side wall or walls which extend between the end walls so as to define an enclosure which surrounds a filter interior, wherein one or more of the walls comprises filter membrane material, the cartridge having an opening provided through the first end wall for receiving air-entrained detritus into the interior, the opening being defined by a rigid support structure which spans and supports the first end wall of the cartridge. The cartridge typically includes a non-return valve which closes when suction is removed so as to help prevent collected detritus escaping from the filter cartridge interior. The valve may comprise a conical valve with flexible facets, or a cantilever flap.

The addition of a medial longitudinal score line (hinge point) along the longitudinal channels of the filter frame allows for thinner media and/or collapsing the frame on itself which will reduce scrap, save space and save tremendously on shipping costs. The additional score line can be a cut score, skip score, crush score or liquid line. The collapsed filter frame expands upon sliding into the channels of the filter frame media holder whereby the filter frame expands and widens to fit the filter assembly.

This document presents an apparatus for a flexible air filter media that can be configured for shipping and storage having one or more flexible inserts mounted to the filter media along one or more portions of the accordion folds of the air filter material. The current invention permits the air filter apparatus to fold along both X and Y axes, create a tri-fold, and bend in a manner that provides for a much smaller volume for shipping purposes. The invention also permits attaching the flexible material to the center of the filter media and also inserts which allow sections of the air filter media to be nested one into another to reduce both shipping and storage volume.

A collapsible air filter assembly for a heating and ventilation air conditioner (HVAC) system includes a filter element, and a frame supporting the filter element. The frame includes at least two edges each including a respective spring element configured to be moveable between an open state and a bent state. A compressible air filter assembly for an (HVAC) system includes a filter medium having rounded pleats configured to collapse and rebound in a controlled and repeatable manner between a compressed state and an original uncompressed state. A soft-wrapped filter assembly includes a frame in a box configuration. The frame includes rigid edges and openings to permit airflow. A filter element is encased by the frame. Flexible edge covers mounted on respective edges of the frame to provide an air seal in an HVAC system.

An air filter including a visually uniform filter life indicator (30), the air filter (1) comprising: a conformable, unframed air filter media (10) that is installable on at least a portion of an upstream face (11) of a filter-support layer of an air-handling system, wherein the conformable, unframed air filter media comprises at least one passivated area (20) that provides a visually uniform filter life indicator of the air filter. Filter life indicators are used in order that aspects of the filtration performance of an air filter can be monitored.

A room air purifier including upper and lower portions with the lower portion including a detachable floor panel. The upper portion and the floor panel may respectively include integrated resilient upper and lower gaskets configured so that with an air filter removably installed in the room air purifier and with the floor panel attached to a lower housing piece of the lower portion of the room air purifier, the upper portion of the room air purifier, and the floor panel, apply pressure to the air filter through the upper and lower gaskets.