Patent ID: 7951230

Claim:
A filter configured for use in a vacuum cleaner, the filter comprising: a frame defining the outer perimeter of the filter and defining a frame area contained within the frame, the frame having: an upstream side; a downstream side; a filter-holding region extending throughout the entire frame area, at least a portion of which is integrally formed as part of the frame; and a deodorant-holding region extending through only a portion of the entire frame area, at least a portion of which is integrally formed as part of the frame; a filter material extending throughout the filter-holding region; a deodorant material contained in the deodorant-holding region; and wherein the filter-holding region comprises a first portion that does not overlap the deodorant-holding region, and a second portion that overlaps the deodorant-holding region, to thereby provide separate parallel first and second air flow paths from the upstream side of the frame to the downstream side of the frame, the first air flow path extending only through the first portion of the filter-holding region, and the second air flow path extending through the second portion of the filter-holding region and through the deodorant-holding region.