Filter cage for wet/dry vacuums
Vacuum cleaner filters, in particular replaceable vacuum cleaner filters suitable for both dry and wet/dry type vacuum cleaners are disclosed, as well as systems incorporating the use of such filters and methods for their use. The filters include a plurality of adjacently positioned pleats arranged in a closed circumferential, cylindrically-shaped path, a top end cap having a central orifice capable of constricting a post on a vacuum filter cage, and optionally a molded end ring oppositely-spaced from the top end cap for engagement with the motor housing of a vacuum cleaner.
1. A filter cage assembly, comprising:
a longitudinal axis;
an open bottom and a spaced apart, substantially parallel top surface;
at least one circumferential rib circumscribing the cage and being oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis;
at least one longitudinal rib being oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, wherein the circumferential ribs and the longitudinal ribs form a plurality of openings in the cage; and
a projection extending outward from the top surface and along the longitudinal axis of the filter cage, wherein the stem comprises a head portion and a neck region intermediate between the top surface of the cage and the head portion, the head portion having multiple differently shaped sections.
2. The filter cage assembly of claim 1 , wherein the neck region comprises one or more rib members circumscribing the exterior surface of the neck region.
3. The filter cage assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a shoulder region formed between the top surface of the cage and the neck region, the shoulder region having a diameter greater than that of the neck region.
4. The filter cage assembly of claim 1 , wherein the head portion includes a convex section and a concave section.
5. The filter cage assembly of claim 4 , wherein the convex section is adjacent the neck region and the concave section is distal to the neck region.
6. The filter cage assembly of claim 4 , further including one or more ribs extending from the head portion.
7. The filter cage assembly of claim 4 , further including one or more ribs extending from the concave section of the head portion.
8. The filter cage assembly of claim 4 , further including one or more convex ribs extending from the concave section of the head portion.
9. The filter cage assembly of claim 1 , wherein the head portion includes a convex section, a cylindrical section, and a concave section.
10. The filter cage assembly of claim 9 , wherein the convex section is adjacent the neck region and the concave section is distal to the neck region with the cylindrical section between the convex section and the concave section.
11. The filter cage assembly of claim 9 , further including one or more ribs extending from the head portion.
12. The filter cage assembly of claim 9 , further including one or more ribs extending from the concave section of the head portion.
13. The filter cage assembly of claim 9 , further including one or more convex ribs extending from the concave section of the head portion.
14. The filter cage assembly of claim 1 , wherein an outer surface of the longitudinal rib is angled outwardly from an end near the projection, adjacent the top surface, to an end distal from the projection, such that a circumference of the filter cage assembly is larger distal from the projection than near the projection.
15. A system for vacuuming materials, the system comprising:
a wet and dry vacuum cleaner; and
a filter cage to support a filter, the filter cage coupled to the vacuum cleaner and comprising:
a longitudinal axis;
an open bottom and a spaced apart, substantially parallel top surface;
one or more circumferential ribs circumscribing the cage and being oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis;
one or more longitudinally angled rib members formed at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the filter cage, wherein the circumferential ribs and the longitudinal ribs form a plurality of openings in the cage; and
a projection extending outward from the top surface and along the longitudinal axis of the filter cage, wherein the stem comprises a head portion and a neck region intermediate between the top surface of the cage and the head portion, the head portion having at least two differently shaped sections.
16. The filter cage assembly of claim 15 , wherein the head portion includes a convex section adjacent the neck region and a concave section distal to the neck region.
17. The filter cage assembly of claim 4 , further including one or more ribs extending from the concave section of the head portion.
18. The filter cage assembly of claim 15 , wherein the head portion includes a convex section adjacent the neck region, a concave section distal to the neck region, and a cylindrical section between the convex section and the concave section.
19. The filter cage assembly of claim 18 , further including one or more ribs extending from the concave section of the head portion.
20. The filter cage assembly of claim 15 , wherein an outer surface of the longitudinal rib is angled outwardly from an end near the projection, adjacent the top surface, to an end distal from the projection, such that a circumference of the filter cage assembly is larger distal from the projection than near the projection.