Vacuum cleaner filter bag for a hand vacuum cleaner

The patent transitions from radial pleating (side-gusseted design) to axial pleating (top-down folding). The intermediate elements are folded along the axial direction toward the base element, creating a compact stack that unfolds axially during operation. This dimensional change in folding direction allows the bag to be easily inserted in a compact state while still achieving large filter surface area when unfolded.

The intermediate elements are nested between the base element and the cover element in a compact folded state, similar to nested dolls. The alternating connection pattern creates a telescopic structure where multiple layers are compressed into a small space for insertion, then expand axially during use to provide the required filter surface area.

The patent creates a dynamic structure where the intermediate elements can alternately connect at their outer edges and at their inner edges (at the through-openings). This alternating connection pattern allows the bag to expand axially in a controlled manner during operation, adapting to the vacuum cleaner's geometry, while preventing radial expansion that would cause wedging and difficult removal.

The filter bag is segmented into multiple intermediate elements connected in an alternating pattern between the base and cover elements. This segmentation allows independent control of expansion in different directions, enabling axial expansion for geometry adaptation while constraining radial expansion to prevent removal difficulties.