Patent ID: 7572307

Claim:
A first filter assembly for a vacuum cleaner having a housing, at least one air inlet, at least one air outlet, and suction means for causing air to flow from at least one said inlet to at least one said outlet, the first filter assembly comprising: a body portion having at least one first aperture and at least one filter element arranged in said first aperture for substantially preventing passage of particles larger than a first predetermined particle size; first mounting means on said body portion for enabling the body portion to be removably mounted to the housing of the vacuum cleaner; second mounting means for enabling a second filter assembly to be removably mounted to said body portion; sealing means for preventing passage of air into the suction means of the vacuum cleaner without previously having passed through said filter element; wherein said second mounting means comprises at least one slot or protrusion on said body portion for engaging a respective said protrusion or slot on the second filter assembly, and the second filter assembly is secured to the body portion by rotating the second filter assembly with respect to the body portion.