Pleated filter and a method for using the same.

摘要

The present invention relates to a filter including a filter element having a sucession of inner connected pleats. The pleats have successive pleat tips which define an outer boundary of the filter element. Covering the entire outer boundary of the filter element is a permeable generally inelastic sheet which extends across successive pleat tips. The sheet is adhesively affixed to the pleat tips for maintaining spacing of the pleats. The sheet comprises of plurality of randomly arranged plastic filaments which are bonded to each other junctions between the filaments and define a plurality of randomly spaced and shaped opening for allowing substantially unrestricted flow of a fluid through the sheet.