# US 10,307,704 B2 · Air cleaner; replaceable filter cartridges; and, methods > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,307,704 B2 - Document ID: US10307704B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/717,251 - Filed: 2015-05-20 - Published: 2015-09-10 - Granted: 2019-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2004-08-25 - Assignees: Donaldson Company, Inc. - Applicants: Donaldson Company, Inc. - Inventors: James R. Scott; Steven Gieseke; Douglas Iddings - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10307704B2 ## CPC - B01D 46/2414: {End caps including additional functions or special forms} - B01D 46/0005: {Mounting of filtering elements within casings, housings or frames (B01D46/2422 takes precedence)} - B01D 46/521: {using folded, pleated material} - B01D 46/56: with multiple filtering elements, characterised by their mutual disposition (B01D46/12 takes precedence) - B29C 44/38: into a closed space, i.e. to make articles of definite length {(B29C44/365 and B29C44/367 take precedence)} - F02M 35/0201: {Housings; Casings; Frame constructions; Lids; Manufacturing or assembling thereof} - F02M 35/0245: {Pleated, folded, corrugated filter elements, e.g. made of paper} - B01D 2201/291: End caps - B01D 2275/201: Conical shape - B29K 2075/00: Use of {PU, i.e.} polyureas or polyurethanes {or derivatives thereof}, as moulding material - B29L 2031/14: Filters {(optical filters B29L2011/0066, sieves or screens B29L2031/737)} - B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28) - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) - F02M: SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF - B29K: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR {MOULDS, } REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS - B29L: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES ## Abstract 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An air filter cartridge comprising: (a) an extension of pleated media, having: first and second, opposite, ends surrounding an inner liner and a central axis; (i) the media tapering inwardly in outer dimension, in extension from the first end to the second end; (b) a first, open, end cap having the first end of the media embedded therein and a central aperture therethrough; (i) the first, open, end cap having a continuous, circular, groove therein that extends inwardly, as a recess directed toward the second end, an axial distance of at least 1.5 mm; (A) the groove being positioned in an end of the first, open, end cap and spaced at least 1.5 mm from an outer peripheral surface of the first end cap toward the central aperture along a surface of the first end cap; (ii) the first, open, end cap being molded-in-place and including a molded-in-place radial seal region defining a radially directed housing radial seal surface, positioned to seal to an associated housing in use, spaced from the continuous, circular, groove; and, oriented for sealing forces, with an associated housing in use, to be directed toward or away from the central axis; (c) a second, closed, end cap having the second end of the media embedded therein; (i) the groove being directed along a direction between the first end second end caps; (d) a preform including an end portion embedded within the first, open, end cap and extending therefrom toward the second end cap; (i) an end of the preform remote from the first, open, end cap including a central imperforate region including: (A) a projection that projects into the interior region and toward the first end cap at least 15 mm; (B) an end including a central projection defining a recess projecting away from the first end cap; and, (C) a wall: spaced from, and surrounding, the central projection; and, also, spaced from the media; (ii) the preform including a preform support region that is at least 50% open and extends over at least 70% of a length of the cartridge. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) An air filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein: (a) the groove in the first, open, end cap is positioned inwardly from an outer surface of the end cap, an amount of at least 3 mm. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) An air filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein: (a) the groove in the first, open, end cap is positioned in axial overlap with the first end of the media. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) An air filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein: (a) the media tapers inwardly at an angle of at least 1°. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) An air filter cartridge according to claim 4 wherein: (a) the media tapers inwardly at angle within the range of 1°-5°, inclusive. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) An air filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein: (a) the central projection defines a recess having a circular cross-sectional shape. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) An air filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein: (a) the projection of the preform that extends into the interior and toward the first end cap extends at least 20 mm toward the first end cap. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) An air filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein: (a) the radial seal region is configured to form an outer, annular, radial seal. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) An air filter cartridge according to claim 1 including: (a) a preformed, imperforate, shield construction surrounding the media at a location adjacent an end of the media. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) An air filter cartridge according to claim 9 wherein: (a) the preformed, imperforate, shield construction is positioned adjacent the first, open, end cap. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) An air filter cartridge according to claim 9 wherein: (a) the imperforate shield section extends over a length of at least 15% of a length of the cartridge. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) An air filter cartridge according to claim 9 wherein: (a) the imperforate shield section extends over a length of at least 5% of a length of the cartridge. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) An air filter cartridge according to claim 1 wherein: (a) the media tapers inwardly at an angle of at least 1°; (i) the projection of the preform that extends into the interior and toward the first end cap extends at least 20 mm toward the first end cap. ### Claim 14 (depends on 3) An air filter cartridge according to claim 3 including: (a) a preformed, imperforate, shield construction surrounding the media at a location adjacent an end of the media. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) An air filter cartridge according to claim 14 wherein: (a) the imperforate shield section extends over a length of at least 5% of a length of the cartridge. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) An air filter cartridge according to claim 14 including: (a) an inner liner extending between the first and second end caps. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) An air filter cartridge according to claim 15 wherein: (a) the groove in the first, open, end cap is positioned inwardly from an outer surface of the end cap, an amount of at least 3 mm. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) An air filter cartridge according to claim 15 wherein: (a) the groove in the first, open, end cap is positioned inwardly from an outer surface of the end cap, an amount within the range of 5-10 mm. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) An air filter cartridge according to claim 15 wherein: (a) the groove in the first, open, end cap is positioned in axial overlap with the first end of the media.