Bag filter support cage

Claim 1

A support cage for insertion into a filter bag for supporting said bag in an open condition, said support cage being comprised of an elongated double ended tube formed of a bent sheet of open wire mesh and having opposite marginal portions disposed adjacent to each other and extending longitudinally of said tube, a fillet having channel means formed therein, said opposite marginal portions of said tube being disposed within said channel means, said fillet being clinched upon said opposite marginal portions and forming a smooth seam for minimizing snagging of said filter bag during contact of said support cage with said filter bag, said wire mesh including a plurality of wires extending longitudinally of said support cage and a plurality of wires extending peripherally of said support cage, wherein said wires extending peripherally of said support cage include hook-shaped end portions with said end portions being clinched by said fillet, and wherein said wires extending longitudinally of said support cage are disposed outwardly of and overlie the wires extending peripherally of said support cage such that said fillet, when engaged with said hook-shaped end portions, lies substantially flush with said wires extending longitudinally to form said smooth seam.