초록 ▼

A fluid filter includes a cylindrical pleated filter media disposed around a central perforated support core or self-supporting. An outer support sleeve comprising a extruded nylon, diamond-shaped mesh is stretched across the pleated media, and elastically conforms to the pleat peaks to structurally

A fluid filter includes a cylindrical pleated filter media disposed around a central perforated support core or self-supporting. An outer support sleeve comprising a extruded nylon, diamond-shaped mesh is stretched across the pleated media, and elastically conforms to the pleat peaks to structurally retain the pleats of the pleat peaks in fixed relation to one another without mechanical or chemical connection to the pleats. Preferably, the support layer has a strand angle between 60 and 90 degrees, and a strand density sufficient to mark the element with appropriate identification indicia. End caps are disposed at opposite ends of the fluid filter. The cylindrical filter media is radially compressed through a conical tool into the outer sleeve. An inner support core or mandrel with a second conical tool is then forced into the cylindrical filter media to enlarge the media such that the outer sleeve elastically stretches and conforms to the pleat peaks.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method for assembling a filter element, comprising the steps of:providing a cylindrical pleated filter media having a continuous series of axially-extending interconnected pleats circumscribing a central cavity,providing a continuous elastic support sleeve, said support

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method for assembling a filter element, comprising the steps of:providing a cylindrical pleated filter media having a continuous series of axially-extending interconnected pleats circumscribing a central cavity,providing a continuous elastic support sleeve, said support sleeve having an inner dimension normally slightly smaller than an original outer dimension of said cylindrical media,radially compressing said cylindrical media such that the outer dimension of the cylindrical media is smaller than the inner dimension of the support sleeve, and inserting the compressed cylindrical media into said support sleeve and thereafter expanding said compressed cylindrical media back toward its normal outer dimension such that said support sleeve extends in surrounding relation along the cylindrical media and is elastically stretched to structurally retain the pleats of the cylindrical media in fixed relation to each other without mechanical or chemical connection to the pleats, andsubsequently bonding a pair of end caps to opposite ends of said cylindrical media.