An air filter cartridge comprising: a) filter media extending along a longitudinal axis (X) between opposite first and second ends, the filter media defining an open interior volume and an outer perimeter ; b) an open end cap disposed at the media first end ; c) a closed end cap disposed at the media second end ; d) a seal arrangement disposed on the open end cap , the seal arrangement having a profile varying in an axial direction between a first radial plane and a second radial plane , wherein first portions of the seal arrangement are disposed at a first axial position and second portions of the seal arrangement are disposed at a second axial position , the first and second portions being separated by a height (h2) and being interconnected by sloped intermediate portions , wherein edges of the first portion most remote from the closed end cap extend along the first radial plane while edges of the second portion most proximate the closed end cap extend along the second radial plane , wherein the radial planes extend orthogonally with respect to the longitudinal axis (X) and are separated by a height (h3), wherein at least a portion of the seal arrangement is either disposed within the filter media open interior volume or about the filter media outer perimeter ; said air filter cartridge being characterized in that it further comprises e) a plurality of axially extending channels disposed within the open end cap and extending through the first radial plane defined by the seal arrangement first portions , f) wherein the plurality of axially extending channels are aligned with the seal arrangement second portions . a) filter media extending along a longitudinal axis (X) between opposite first and second ends, the filter media defining an open interior volume and an outer perimeter ; b) an open end cap disposed at the media first end ; c) a closed end cap disposed at the media second end ; d) a seal arrangement disposed on the open end cap , the seal arrangement having a profile varying in an axial direction between a first radial plane and a second radial plane , wherein first portions of the seal arrangement are disposed at a first axial position and second portions of the seal arrangement are disposed at a second axial position , the first and second portions being separated by a height (h2) and being interconnected by sloped intermediate portions , wherein edges of the first portion most remote from the closed end cap extend along the first radial plane while edges of the second portion most proximate the closed end cap extend along the second radial plane , wherein the radial planes extend orthogonally with respect to the longitudinal axis (X) and are separated by a height (h3), wherein at least a portion of the seal arrangement is either disposed within the filter media open interior volume or about the filter media outer perimeter ; said air filter cartridge being characterized in that it further comprises e) a plurality of axially extending channels disposed within the open end cap and extending through the first radial plane defined by the seal arrangement first portions , f) wherein the plurality of axially extending channels are aligned with the seal arrangement second portions . <EOS>