Vacuum Cleaner Filter

Abstract

A vacuum cleaner filter assembly having a first cap, a second cap, a filter element extending between the first cap and the second cap, and a vane connected to at least one of the first cap and the second cap and extending along at least a portion of the filter element. The filter assembly may be removably mounted in a dirt collection chamber having an air inlet and an air outlet, and may be adapted to engage an air outlet.

1 . A vacuum cleaner filter assembly comprising:
 a first cap;   a second cap;   a filter element extending between the first cap and the second cap; and   a vane connected to at least one of the first cap and the second cap and extending along at least a portion of the filter element;   wherein the filter assembly is removably mounted in a dirt collection chamber having an air inlet and an air outlet.   
   
   
       2 . The vacuum cleaner filter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the filter assembly is removably mounted to a top wall of the dirt collection chamber. 
   
   
       3 . The vacuum cleaner filter assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the first cap comprises a locating tab adapted to engage the top wall, and a resilient locking tab adapted to engage the top wall. 
   
   
       4 . The vacuum cleaner filter assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the top wall comprises a removable lid. 
   
   
       5 . The vacuum cleaner filter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the vane is positioned between the air inlet and the filter element. 
   
   
       6 . The vacuum cleaner filter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the vane is oriented with respect to the air inlet to direct a flow of air passing through the air inlet into a cyclonic pattern within the dirt collection chamber. 
   
   
       7 . The vacuum cleaner filter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first cap and the second cap comprises a cage extending between the first cap and the second cap and inside the filter element. 
   
   
       8 . The vacuum cleaner filter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first cap and the second cap has an opening therethrough, the opening being fluidly connected to the air outlet. 
   
   
       9 . The vacuum cleaner filter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first cap is removably attachable to a wall of the dirt collection chamber, and the second cap has an opening therethrough and is removably mounted to the air outlet. 
   
   
       10 . The vacuum cleaner filter assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the outlet comprises a conduit extending within the dirt collection chamber. 
   
   
       11 . The vacuum cleaner filter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the filter comprises a pleated filter. 
   
   
       12 . The vacuum cleaner filter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the vane is integrally formed with at least one of the first cap and the second cap. 
   
   
       13 . A vacuum cleaner filter assembly comprising:
 a dirt collection chamber having a generally circular profile and an air inlet and an air outlet;   a first cap;   a second cap having a second cap fitting adapted to engage the air outlet;   a filter element extending between the first cap and the second cap; and   a vane connected to at least one of the first cap and the second cap and extending along at least a portion of the filter element, at least a portion of the vane being positioned between the air inlet and the filter element.   
   
   
       14 . The vacuum cleaner filter assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the first cap is adapted to engage an end wall of the dirt collection chamber. 
   
   
       15 . The vacuum cleaner filter assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the second cap fitting comprises a cylindrical projection. 
   
   
       16 . A vacuum cleaner filter assembly comprising:
 a first cap;   a second cap;   a filter element extending between the first cap and the second cap; and   a vane connected to at least one of the first cap and the second cap and extending along at least a portion of the filter element.   
   
   
       17 . The vacuum cleaner filter assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the first cap comprises one or more mounting tabs. 
   
   
       18 . The vacuum cleaner filter assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the second cap comprises a cylindrical projection having an opening therethrough. 
   
   
       19 . The vacuum cleaner filter assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the filter element comprises a generally cylindrical shape, at least a portion of the vane is generally tangential to the filter element. 
   
   
       20 . The vacuum cleaner filter assembly of  claim 16 , wherein at least one of the first cap and the second cap comprises a cage extending between the first cap and the second cap and inside the filter element.