Air cleaner; replaceable filter cartridges; and, methods
The disclosure concerns air cleaners. Preferred air cleaners are shown which include a housing and a removable and replacement primary filter cartridge. Optional and advantageous features are shown. The preferred primary filter cartridge is conical in shape. A preferred optional safety or secondary filter cartridge is shown. Preferred methods of assembly and use are provided.
1. An air filter cartridge comprising:
(a) first and second, opposite, end caps;
(b) pleated filter media: extending between the first and second end caps and surrounding a central axis to define an open interior;
(i) the pleated media having a tapered outer perimeter in extension between the first and second end caps; and,
(ii) the pleated media having a larger perimeter adjacent the first end cap than adjacent the second end cap;
(c) the first end cap having an air flow aperture therethrough;
(i) the first end cap including a housing seal member thereon; and,
(d) the second end cap being closed and having a receiver recess portion projecting toward the first end cap and defining an open receiver facing a direction away from the first end cap;
(i) the receiver recess portion having a non-circular shape in cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the open interior and the central axis.
2. An air filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein:
(a) the receiver recess comprises a plurality of radially outwardly directed portions.
3. An air filter cartridge according to claim 2 wherein:
(a) the receiver recess comprises a plus-shaped recess.
4. An air filter cartridge according to claim 2 including:
(a) a liner extending between the first and second end caps.
5. An air filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein:
(a) the media has a conical angle of at least 1°.
6. An air filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein:
(a) the housing seal member on the first end cap is a radially directed housing seal member.
7. An air filter cartridge according to claim 6 wherein:
(a) the radially directed housing seal member is radially outwardly directed.
8. An air filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein:
(a) the first end cap is molded-in-place with the housing seal member molded integral therewith.
9. An air filter cartridge according to claim 1 including:
(a) a liner extending between the first and second end caps.
10. An air filter cartridge according to claim 9 wherein:
(a) the liner is surrounded by the pleated filter media.
11. An air filter cartridge according to claim 9 wherein:
(a) the liner comprises a portion of a preform also having the receiver recess thereon.