Air filter assembly; components thereof; and, methods
An air filter cartridge for use with an air cleaner assembly is provided. A variety of features for the air filter cartridge are characterized. An example air filter cartridge is depicted, which includes opposite flow faces. A preform secured to the media pack, with a seal member is described.
1. An air filter cartridge comprising:
(a) a media pack having first and second, opposite, flow faces and defining a media pack having a non-circular perimeter shape; and,
(b) first and second, preformed, supports secured to the media pack;
(i) the first preformed support having a portion thereon adjacent and surrounding an outer perimeter of the media pack; and, including a handle member thereon through which a portion of a person's fingers can fit, during handling;
(A) the handle member defining an opening for a person's fingers in a direction orthogonal to a flow direction between the opposite flow faces; and,
(ii) the second preformed support including: a plurality of resin flow regions therethrough and comprising a seal support having a seal member molded-in-place thereon, from resin that included a portion allowed to flow through the resin flow regions prior to cure; and, a grid extending across a flow face;
(iii) the seal member molded-in-place having an outer perimeter shape that includes at least one straight section; and wherein the seal member molded-in-place is an axially directed housing seal; and,
(c) the first preformed support and the second preformed support being separate from one another.
2. An air filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein:
(a) the media pack comprises fluted media secured to facing media.
3. An air filter cartridge comprising:
(a) a media pack comprising fluted media secured to facing media and defining a media pack having first and second, opposite, flow faces and a non-circular outer perimeter shape; and,
(b) a preformed support having a portion surrounding the media pack;
(i) the preform support including: a plurality of resin flow regions therethrough and comprising a seal support having a seal member molded-in-place thereon, from resin that included a portion allowed to flow through the resin flow regions prior to cure; and, a grid extending across a flow face;
(ii) the seal member molded-in-place having an outer perimeter shape that includes at least one straight section and at least one arcuate section; and wherein the seal member molded-in-place is an axially directed housing seal; and,
(c) a handle member secured to the media pack.
4. An air filter cartridge according to claim 3 wherein:
(a) a portion of the seal member is molded directly to the media of the media pack.
5. An air filter cartridge according to claim 4 wherein:
(a) the seal member comprises polyurethane.
6. An air filter cartridge according to claim 4 including:
(a) a second preform support that includes the handle member thereon; the handle member being configured such that a portion of a person's fingers can fit therethrough during handling.
7. An air filter cartridge according to claim 6 wherein:
(a) the handle member defines an opening, for a person's fingers, in a direction orthogonal to a flow direction between the opposite flow faces.
8. An air filter cartridge according to claim 3 wherein:
(a) the media pack has an outer perimeter shape that includes at least one straight section.
9. An air filter cartridge according to claim 8 wherein:
(a) the media pack has a perimeter shape with a straight side and an opposite arcuate side.
10. An air filter cartridge according to claim 9 wherein:
(a) the molded-in-place seal member has an outer perimeter shape that has a straight side and an opposite arcuate side.
11. An air filter cartridge according to claim 3 wherein:
(a) the handle member comprising a handle ring positioned adjacent a periphery of the media pack.
12. An air filter cartridge according to claim 10 wherein:
(a) the handle member is positioned adjacent an end of the straight side of the media pack.
13. An air filter cartridge according to claim 2 wherein:
(a) a portion of the seal member is molded directly to the media of the media pack.
14. An air filter cartridge according to claim 13 wherein:
(a) the seal member comprises polyurethane.
15. An air filter cartridge according to claim 2 wherein:
(a) the media pack has an outer perimeter shape that includes at least one straight section.
16. An air filter cartridge according to claim 13 wherein:
(a) the media pack has a perimeter shape with a straight side and an opposite arcuate side.
17. An air filter cartridge according to claim 16 wherein:
(a) the handle member is positioned adjacent an end of the straight side of the media pack.
18. An air filter cartridge according to claim 9 wherein:
(a) the molded-in-place seal member has an outer perimeter shape that has a straight side and an opposite arcuate side.
19. An air filter cartridge according to claim 2 wherein:
(a) the molded-in-place seal member has an outer perimeter shape that has a straight side and an opposite arcuate side.
20. An air filter cartridge according to claim 3 wherein:
(a) the handle member comprises a handle ring position adjacent a periphery of the media pack.