Abstract: A filter assembly for a vacuum cleaner including a filter cartridge a first substantially rigid pleated filter element having a plurality of pleats with pleated edge and a flexible pre-filter element positioned over the pleated edge of the filter cartridge. The pleats may be radial, longitudinal or conical with the pre-filter a disc, cylinder or frusto-conical in shape.

Abstract: A filter cartridge for a compact vacuum container includes a cylindrical side wall with an inwardly facing flange and a least one cross-beam extending along a diameter of the opening at the bottom and a radially pleated filer element is provided. The filer cartridge may be used with a dirt container having a tangential air inlet at the upper portion, a closed top and a central outlet at the bottom having an improved air separation and dirt collection container. Dirt particles that separate from the air flow in the container. Clean air then exits an open upper portion of the column to the suction source below the container. The air exiting the bottom of the column may pass through an radially pleated filter before being drawn into the vacuum source.

Abstract: A filter cartridge for a compact vacuum container includes a cylindrical side wall with an inwardly facing flange and a least one cross-beam extending along a diameter of the opening at the bottom and a radially pleated filer element is provided. The filer cartridge may be used with a dirt container having a tangential air inlet at the upper portion, a closed top and a central outlet at the bottom having an improved air separation and dirt collection container. Dirt particles that separate from the air flow in the container. Clean air then exits an open upper portion of the column to the suction source below the container. The air exiting the bottom of the column may pass through an radially pleated filter before being drawn into the vacuum source.

Abstract: A compact vacuum container includes a tangential air inlet at the upper portion, a closed top and a central outlet at the bottom having an improved air separation and dirt collection container is provided. A hollow central column with a skirt formed with a downwardly extending flange having an outer diameter is less than the inner diameter of the container, extends from the closed to the bottom outlet opening the upper position above the skirt is open and the lower portion of the column is solid. Dirt particles that separate from the air flow above the skirt drop to the lower portion below the skirt. Clean air then exits an open upper portion of the column to the suction source below the container. The air exiting the bottom of the column may pass through an radially pleated filter before being drawn into the vacuum source.

Abstract: A light weight upright vacuum container including a cylindrical cyclonic air separation and dirt collect container with a combination shroud and pleated filter cartridge holder. The container has a tangential air inlet at the upper portion, a closed bottom and an open top leading to a motor positioned in the upper portion of the vacuum cleaner housing provide for improved air separation and dirt collection. The shroud has an open sidewall and a closed bottom with an outwardly and downwardly extending skirt that extends to the about the midpoint of the height of the container. Dirt particles that separate from the air flow above the skirt drop to the lower portion below the skirt. Clean air then exits an open upper portion of the shroud to the suction source above the container. The air exiting the shroud passes through a frusto-conical region and into a radially pleated filter before entering the vacuum motor.

Abstract: A hand-held device for dusting a surface is disclosed. The device includes a housing, a drive motor associated with the housing, a rotating dusting element rotated about its axis by the drive motor, and at least one conduit for removing dust from the dusting element. The conduit has a first portion for attachment to a source of vacuum and a side portion extending parallel to the axis of the duster and adjacent to the duster. Optionally, the first portion of the conduit is adapted to couple to a vacuum cleaner hose to draw air and debris into the side portion and out of the first portion of the conduit. The side portion of the conduit has one or more vacuum inlets extending along the duster for drawing dirt from the duster. One or more vacuum inlets are selectively rotatable from a first position generally facing toward the duster to a second position generally facing away from the duster and providing access to the vacuum inlet independent of the duster. The device weighs less than five pounds.

Abstract: A filter assembly for a vacuum cleaner including a filter cartridge with a first substantially rigid pleated filter element having a plurality of pleats with pleated edges and a flexible pre-filter element positioned over the pleated edges of the filter cartridge. The pleats may be radial, longitudinal or conical with the pre-filter a disc, cylinder or frusto-conical in shape. In each case the pre-filter is positioned on the pleats so that dirt laden air is drawn through the pre-filter element and then through the pleated filter element before being drawn into a vacuum motor.

Abstract: A compact vacuum container includes a tangential air inlet at the upper portion, a closed top and a central outlet at the bottom having an improved air separation and dirt collection container is provided. A hollow central column with a skirt formed with a downwardly extending flange having an outer diameter is less than the inner diameter of the container, extends from the closed to the bottom outlet opening the upper position above the skirt is open and the lower portion of the column is solid. Dirt particles that separate from the air flow above the skirt drop to the lower portion below the skirt. Clean air then exits an open upper portion of the column to the suction source below the container. The air exiting the bottom of the column may pass through an radially pleated filter before being drawn into the vacuum source.

Abstract: A light weight upright vacuum container including a cylindrical cyclonic air separation and dirt collect container with a combination shroud and pleated filter cartridge holder. The container has a tangential air inlet at the upper portion, a closed bottom and an open top leading to a motor positioned in the upper portion of the vacuum cleaner housing provide for improved air separation and dirt collection. The shroud has an open sidewall and a closed bottom with an outwardly and downwardly extending skirt that extends to the about the midpoint of the height of the container. Dirt particles that separate from the air flow above the skirt drop to the lower portion below the skirt. Clean air then exits an open upper portion of the shroud to the suction source above the container. The air exiting the shroud passes through a frusto-conical region and into a radially pleated filter before entering the vacuum motor.