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A filter, comprising: a filter element comprising pleated filter media having a plurality of pleats configured into a closed loop of filter media, the filter element having an outer perimeter defined by a plurality of outer pleat tips, and an inner perimeter defined by a plurality of inner pleat tip

A filter, comprising: a filter element comprising pleated filter media having a plurality of pleats configured into a closed loop of filter media, the filter element having an outer perimeter defined by a plurality of outer pleat tips, and an inner perimeter defined by a plurality of inner pleat tips, the plurality of inner pleat tips defining an inner chamber extending through the filter element; a cap disposed on a first end of the filter element the cap being configured to seal a first opening of the first end of the filter; a first plurality of open end pleats positioned between an edge of the cap and the outer perimeter of the filter element, the first plurality of open end pleats defining a first fluid path through the filter media into the inner chamber; a sealing ring disposed on a second end of the filter element the sealing ring being configured to provide an inlet opening providing fluid communication to the inner chamber; and a second plurality of open end pleats positioned between an edge of the sealing ring and the outer perimeter of the filter element, the second plurality of open end pleats defining a second fluid path through the filter media into the inner chamber.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method of forming a filter, comprising: forming a filter element with a pleated filter media having a plurality of pleats into a closed loop to define an inner chamber, the filter element having an outer perimeter defined by a plurality of outer pleat tips and an inner perimeter defined by a pl

1. A method of forming a filter, comprising: forming a filter element with a pleated filter media having a plurality of pleats into a closed loop to define an inner chamber, the filter element having an outer perimeter defined by a plurality of outer pleat tips and an inner perimeter defined by a plurality of inner pleat tips;molding a compressible urethane cap on a first end of the filter element to completely cover an opening of the inner chamber, the opening being defined by the inner perimeter and the compressible urethane cap including an outer edge located between the inner perimeter and the outer perimeter of the filter element, where a first plurality of open end pleats are located between the outer edge of the cap and the outer perimeter of the filter element, the first plurality of open end pleats defining a first fluid path through the filter media into the inner chamber;molding a compressible urethane ring on a second end of the filter element to form an inlet opening for providing fluid communication with the inner chamber, the compressible urethane ring having an outer edge located between the inner perimeter and the outer perimeter of the filter element to form a second plurality of open end pleats, the second plurality of open end pleats being located between the outer perimeter of the filter element and the compressible urethane ring, wherein the second plurality of open end pleats define a second fluid path through the filter media into the inner chamber;providing at least one protrusion integrally formed with and extending away from a surface of the cap for aligning the filter in a housing; andinserting the at least one protrusion into a complimentary opening in the housing to assist in the alignment of the filter in the housing. 2. The method as in claim 1, wherein the filter is an air filter. 3. The method as in claim 1, wherein the plurality of pleats each have pairs of walls defining axially extending exterior channels and axially extending interior channels and the walls of the pleats defining the interior channels are sealed between the edge of the cap and the outer perimeter of the filter element and sealed between the outer edge of the urethane ring and the outer perimeter of the filter element. 4. The method as in claim 3, wherein the pairs of walls defining the axially extending interior channels are sealed with an adhesive. 5. The method as in claim 1, wherein the cap covers substantially no more than approximately one half of a material thickness of the filter element. 6. The method as in claim 1, wherein the cap covers approximately one quarter of the material thickness of the filter element. 7. The method as in claim 1, wherein the urethane ring covers substantially no more than approximately one half of a material thickness of the filter element. 8. The method as in claim 1, wherein the urethane ring covers no more than approximately one quarter of the material thickness of the filter element. 9. A method of forming a filter, comprising: forming a filter element with a pleated filter media having a plurality of pleats into a closed loop to define an inner chamber, the filter element having an outer perimeter defined by a plurality of outer pleat tips and an inner perimeter defined by a plurality of inner pleat tips;molding a compressible cap on a first end of the filter element to completely cover an opening of the inner chamber, the opening being defined by the inner perimeter;molding a compressible sealing ring on a second end of the filter element to form an inlet opening for providing fluid communication with the inner chamber,providing at least one protrusion integrally formed with and extending away from a surface of the cap for aligning the filter in a housing; andinserting the at least one protrusion into a complimentary opening in the housing to assist in the alignment of the filter in the housing. 10. The method as in claim 9, wherein the filter is an air filter. 11. The method as in claim 9, wherein the plurality of pleats each have pairs of walls defining axially extending exterior channels and axially extending interior channels and the walls of the pleats defining the interior channels are sealed between the edge of the cap and the outer perimeter of the filter element and sealed between the edge of the sealing ring and the outer perimeter of the filter element. 12. The method as in claim 11, wherein the pairs of walls defining the axially extending interior channels are sealed with an adhesive. 13. The method as in claim 9, wherein the cap covers substantially no more than approximately one half of a material thickness of the filter element. 14. The method as in claim 9, wherein the cap covers approximately one quarter of the material thickness of the filter element. 15. The method as in claim 9, wherein the sealing ring covers substantially no more than approximately one half of a material thickness of the filter element. 16. The method as in claim 9, wherein the sealing ring covers no more than approximately one quarter of the material thickness of the filter element.