Patent ID: 7537631

Claim:
An air filter cartridge comprising: (a) first and second, opposite, ends; (i) the first end having an air flow exit aperture therethrough; (b) a conical extension of filter media extending between the first and second ends; (c) a first, open, end cap adjacent the first end of the filter cartridge; (i) the media being embedded in the first, open, end cap; (ii) the first, open, end cap having a seal portion; (d) a preform embedded in the first end cap; (i) the preform having an imperforate axial shield portion extending axially along the media toward the media second end a distance of at least 5% of an axial length of the filter cartridge; and, (ii) the preform having a radial ring portion forming a dust shield extending radially outwardly therefrom and positioned adjacent the first end of the filter cartridge; and, (e) a second, closed, end cap adjacent the second end of the filter cartridge; (i) the second, closed, end cap including a central projection extending inwardly of the filter cartridge.