Patent Publication Number: US-2015082988-A1

Title: Air filter

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a Continuation-In-Part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/420,050 filed Apr. 7, 2009 which claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent application No. 61/043,164, titled “Air Filter,” filed Apr. 8, 2008, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1.0 Field of the Disclosure 
     The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for filtering air in a heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system. 
     2.0 Related Art 
     Air filters are used in commercial, residential and industrial HVAC systems to filter air that passes through the system. The filters remove some dust from the air as it passes through the filter. The removal of the dust may protect the components of the HVAC system from becoming damaged by the dust. 
     Typical air filters for HVAC systems are one inch thick disposable filters having a fiberglass mesh. The fiberglass mesh is supported by a cardboard frame around the edges of the filter. A wire mesh spans across the central part of the filter in order to hold the fiberglass in place. The fiberglass mesh does not prevent most particles from passing through the filter. Further, the fiberglass filters are bulky and easily damaged. Due to the bulk, the filters require a large amount of space to transport several units to a commercial, and/or retail outlet. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments disclosed herein include an air filter comprising a filter media and a support frame. The support frame is for supporting the filter media. The support frame comprises a first portion adapted to secure to a grille of an air intake; and a second portion adapted to extend into a duct, wherein the filter media is located within at least a portion of the second portion. 
     Embodiments disclosed herein include an air filter comprising: a replaceable pleated filter media, wherein the pleated filter media has a plurality of peaks and valleys and a support frame. The support frame comprises two substantially perpendicular sides, wherein the perpendicular sides are configured to be substantially perpendicular to the peaks and valleys of the pleated media. The support frame further comprises two substantially parallel sides, wherein the parallel sides are configured to be substantially parallel to the peaks and valleys of the pleated media and wherein a portion of each of the parallel sides is coupleable to a portion of the perpendicular side. The air filter further comprises one or more support rods, wherein the support rods span an interior of the support frame in a direction substantially parallel with the peaks and valleys and wherein at least one of the support rods is configured to engage a portion of the filter media. 
     Embodiments disclosed herein include a method for filtering air in an HVAC system. The method may include placing a filter media in a support frame and securing the support frame to a return air filter grille of an existing air intake of the HVAC system. The method may further include filtering air through the filter media and removing the filter media from the support frame when the filter media becomes dirty. The method may further include replacing the filter media with a new filter media in the support frame. 
     Embodiments disclosed herein include a method for replacing air filters in a retail outlet. The method may include placing multiple filter media in a container and moving the container to a roof of the retail outlet. The method may further include removing a support frame and a used filter media from an HVAC system and removing the used filter media from the support frame. The method may further include replacing the used filter media with one of the multiple filter media from the container and inserting the support frame and the filter media back in the HVAC system. The method may further include walking to a second HVAC system on the roof of the retail outlet. 
     In one aspect, an air filter is provided comprising a filter media, a support frame for supporting the filter media wherein the support frame comprises: a first portion adapted to secure to a grille of an air intake and a second portion adapted to extend into a duct, wherein the filter media is located within at least a portion of the second portion. The filter media further comprises a pleated media. The one or more support rods may be configured to engage a peak of the pleated media. 
     In one aspect, an apparatus for use in air filtration is provided comprising a monolithic air filtering media configured with a plurality of pre-formed parallel V-shaped pleats to trap particles or dust from an air stream, each V-shaped pleat having a ridge and a valley, wherein the air filtering media is collapsible and expandable and is configured to accept a plurality of support rods in an interior upstream side of the pleated filter media, wherein a distance between adjacent peaks of the plurality of peaks is uniform across an entire expanded air filtering media, optimizing exposure of the air filtering media to the air stream. The apparatus may further comprise a support frame wherein the support frame further comprises two substantially perpendicular sides, wherein the perpendicular sides are configured to be substantially perpendicular to each peak and each valley, two substantially parallel sides, wherein the parallel sides are configured to be substantially parallel to each peak and each valley, and wherein a portion of each of the parallel sides is coupleable to a portion of the perpendicular side; and the plurality of support rods, wherein the plurality of support rods span an interior of the support frame in a direction substantially parallel with each peak and each valley, and wherein the plurality of the support rods are configured to engage each peak with no support rods located in each valley. The apparatus may further comprise a media support coupled to at least one of the perpendicular sides, wherein the media support extends into the interior of the air filter and is configured to support a portion of the filter media proximate the at least one of the perpendicular sides. The air filtering media may be configured to be replaceable by lifting the air media off the plurality of support rods and placing a new air filtering media on the plurality of support rods. 
     In one aspect, an apparatus for use in air filtration, comprising a pair of finger end cap assemblies, each configured with a support member and a plurality of generally V-shaped fingers extending from the support member, a pair of end caps configured to attach to opposite ends of the support members, a plurality of support rods, each configured to engage the V-shaped fingers in a valley of the V-shaped fingers facing into oncoming air-flow. The pair of end caps may each be configured with a male portion at each end and each support member is configured with a female portion at each end, and the pair of end caps are configured to mate with the pair of support members by inserting the male portions into corresponding female portions. At least one male portion and at least one female portion may be keyed to assist in proper orientation of the finger end cap assemblies. The pair of end caps may be configured to be non-releasably attached to the pair of finger end cap assemblies. The apparatus may further comprise an expandable and collapsible filter media pre-configured with V-shaped peaks and valleys in an expanded state, the filter media configured to mate with the V-shaped fingers. The media supports may be generally V-shaped and may be configured with attaching mechanisms at each end. 
     In one aspect, a method of retrofitting an existing air handler cabinet or OEM specified channel is provided, the method includes the steps of inserting a plurality of U-shaped channels at opposite one another in a legacy air handler cabinet and inserting into the legacy air handler cabinet an assembled frame comprising a pair of finger end cap assemblies, a plurality of generally V-shaped fingers extending from the support member, a pair of end caps attached to opposite ends of the support members, a plurality of support rods and filter media having pre-configured with V-shaped peaks and valleys, wherein the media filter is configured to be expandable and collapsible while maintaining the V-shaped peaks and valley. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present embodiments may be better understood, and numerous objects, features, and advantages made apparent to those skilled in the art by referencing the accompanying drawings. 
         FIG. 1  depicts a diagram illustrating a schematic perspective view of an air filter in an embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  depicts a diagram illustrating a perspective view of an air filter in an embodiment. 
         FIG. 3A  depicts a diagram illustrating an exploded perspective view of an air filter in an embodiment. 
         FIG. 3B  depicts a diagram illustrating a portion of an air filter in an embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  depicts a diagram illustrating a side view of a filter media in an embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  depicts a diagram illustrating a schematic perspective view of an air filter in another embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  depicts a diagram illustrating a cross sectional view of an air filter in another embodiment. 
         FIG. 7A  depicts a diagram illustrating a side view of a portion of an air filter in another embodiment. 
         FIG. 7B  depicts a diagram illustrating a top view of a portion of an air filter in another embodiment. 
         FIG. 7C  depicts a diagram illustrating a side view of a portion of an air filter in another embodiment. 
         FIG. 7D  depicts a diagram illustrating an end view of a portion of an air filter in another embodiment. 
         FIG. 7E  depicts a diagram illustrating an end view of a portion of an air filter in another embodiment. 
         FIG. 7F  depicts a diagram illustrating a side view of a portion of an air filter in another embodiment. 
         FIG. 7G  depicts a diagram illustrating a perspective view of a portion of an air filter in another embodiment. 
         FIG. 8  depicts a diagram illustrating a schematic view of a plurality of filter media in a container in another embodiment. 
         FIG. 9  depicts a finger end cap assembly, configured according to principles of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 10  depicts an exemplary end cap, configured according to principles of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 11A  is a close-up partial view of a finger end cap assembly connected to an end cap, configured according to principles of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 11B  is an example close-up view of the male portion of the end cap of  FIG. 10 , configured according to principles of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 11C  is an example close-up view of the female portion of the finger end cap assembly of  FIG. 9 , configured according to principles of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 12A  is an example of a support rod, configured according to principles of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 12B  is a close-up view of an end of the support rod of  FIG. 12A , configured according to principles of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 13  is an example of a filter frame, configured according to principles of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 14A  is an example of media filter in an expanded state, configured according to principles of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 14B  is an example of media filter of  FIG. 12A  in a collapsed or unexpanded state, configured according to principles of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 15  is an example of a retro-fit kit, configured according to principles of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The various aspects and principles of the present disclosure and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting examples that are described and/or illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. It should be noted that the features illustrated in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and features of one embodiment may be employed with other embodiments as the skilled artisan would recognize, even if not explicitly stated herein. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques may be omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the various aspects of the invention. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the invention may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the various embodiments of the invention. Accordingly, the embodiments herein should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, which is defined solely by the appended claims and applicable law. Moreover, it is noted that like reference numerals represent similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings. The description that follows includes exemplary apparatus, methods, techniques, and instruction sequences that embody techniques of the present inventive subject matter. However, it is understood that the described embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. 
     Embodiments described herein comprise apparatus and methods for filtering air in an HVAC system using an air filter. The air filter may be used in any type of HVAC system including, but not limited to, a residential, a commercial and an industrial HVAC system. The air filter is typically placed in the HVAC system near an air intake. As air is pulled into the HVAC system at the air intake, the air filter collects dust, debris and other particles from the air. The removal of the particles from the air entering the HVAC system may prevent the mechanical equipment of the HVAC system from becoming damaged by the particles. Further, the air filter substantially prevents the dust, debris and other particles from circulating through the air ducts and being pumped into the building which is being heated or cooled by the HVAC system. The air filter may have a filter media and a support frame. The support frame supports the filter media and is configured to secure the filter media within the HVAC system. The support frame may be sized and configured to be inserted into the HVAC system at the same location as traditional cardboard air filters. The support frame may be collapsible in order to ship the support frame in a space saving manner. The support frame may include one or more support rods which run substantially parallel within the interior of the support frame. The support rods may be configured to support the filter media within the support frame. The media may be a pleated media having a series of peaks and valleys. The filter media may be removeably installed in the support frame. When installed in the support frame the support rods may engage some or all of the peaks of the filter media, thereby preventing the filter media from being pulled into the HVAC ducting. When the filter media becomes inefficient due to the amount of dust and/or particles built up on the media, the filter media may be replaced without replacing the support frame. Thus, the filter media is simply removed from the support frame. A new filter media is obtained and secured within the support frame. The support frame with the new filter media is placed back in the HVAC system and the air filter filters the air coming into the HVAC system. The used media may be placed in the garbage, or recycled. The air filter may include a change indicator. The change indicator may inform a user when a change of the filter media is necessary. 
       FIG. 1  depicts a schematic perspective view of an air filter  100  in an embodiment. The air filter  100  may include a support frame  102  and a filter media  104 . The support frame  102  may be adapted to secure the air filter  100  within the return air filter grille, or grille, not shown, of an existing HVAC system. The HVAC system as described herein may be any HVAC system for handling air, including, but not limited to, residential, commercial and industrial HVAC systems. The size of the return air filter grilles may vary in different HVAC systems; however, the support frame  102  may be configured to secure within a specific return air grille size, or be adjusted to fit within different sized return air grilles. The filter media  104  may be configured to be removed from the support frame  102  and replaced with a new filter media  104  without replacing the support frame  102 . When the new filter media  104  is secured in the support frame  102 , the user may place the air filter  100  within the return air grille. The HVAC system pulls air through the air filter  100  in the air flow direction, as shown by arrows  106 . The air may flow through the air filter  100  substantially unobstructed as there are no frame members located in the interior upstream side of the air filter. The filter media  104  removes dust, dirt, and/or particles from the air as the air passes through the air filter  100 . 
     The support frame  102  may include a grille portion  108  and a duct portion  110  in an embodiment. The grille portion  108  of the support frame  102  may be configured to fit within the return air grille of the HVAC system and secure the air filter  100  to the grille. To this end, the grille portion  108  of the support frame  102  may be specifically sized to fit within a certain model of HVAC system. The grille portion  108  of the support frame  102  may be placed in the return air grille in a similar manner as traditional cardboard air filters are placed in the return air grille. There may be any number of models and sizes of support frames  102  in order to ensure that the grille portion  108  of the support frame  102  fits in a number of varying HVAC systems. For example, the standard residential return air filter grille requires a 20″×20″ air filter; however, it should be appreciated that the support frames discussed herein may be sized to fit in any size return air filter grille. The grille portion  108  of the support frame  102  may have a similar thickness T as the traditional cardboard air filter sized for the particular HVAC system. Further, the grille portion  108  of the support frame  102  may have a different thickness T than the traditional cardboard air filter. For example, the grille portion  108  of the support frame  102  may have a substantially smaller thickness T than the traditional cardboard air filter. The smaller thickness T may allow the grille portion  108 , and thereby the support frame  102  to be shipped in a smaller, or more collapsible form. If the grille portion  108  has a smaller thickness T, there may be one or more spacers (not shown), and/or biasing members, coupleable to the grille portion  108  which are configured to secure the grille portion  108  of the support frame  102  within the return air filter grille. The spacers may couple to the grille portion  108  having a smaller thickness T in order to make the thickness of the grille portion  108  and the spacer substantially similar to the thickness of the return air filter grille. 
     The duct portion  110  of the support frame  102  may be configured to extend through the return air filter grille and into the duct, or air intake, of the HVAC system. The duct portion  110  of the support frame  102  may support a portion, or all of the filter media  104  beyond the grille portion  108  of the support frame  102  and into the duct of the HVAC system. Because the duct portion  110  of the support frame  102  supports the filter media  102  beyond the grille portion  108  of the support frame, a deeper filter media  104  may be used. For example, the grille portion  108  may have a thickness T of 1″ and the duct portion  110  of the support frame  102  may extend beyond the grille portion  108  of the support frame another 3″, thereby making the total thickness of the support frame  102  approximately 4″. A filter media  104  having substantially a 4″ depth may be placed in the support frame  102  by engaging both the grille portion  108  and the duct portion  110  of the support frame  102 . The additional filter media  104  beyond the thickness of the traditional cardboard filter allows the air filter  100  to be more efficient. For example, the traditional cardboard air filter may be 1″ thick, wherein the filter media  104  described above may have a 4″ depth from the peak to the valley of the pleat. Thus, the filter media  104  may be about 4 times as efficient as a traditional cardboard filter. The larger surface area for filtering may allow the air filter  100  to have a longer life than the traditional cardboard air filter. Although the grille portion  108  of the support frame  102  is described as being 1″ and the duct portion  110  of the support frame  102  is described as being 3″ it should be appreciated that the grille portion  108  and the duct portion  110  may each have any suitable depth depending on the HVAC system and the requirements of the user and the system. For example, the grille portion  108  may be 2″ and the duct portion  110  may be 2″, further any combination of sizes may be used. 
       FIGS. 2 and 3  show a perspective view and an exploded perspective view of an air filter  100  according to one embodiment described herein. The support frame  102  is shown as having two perpendicular sides  200  and two parallel sides  202 . The perpendicular sides  200  may be configured to extend substantially perpendicular to the direction of the pleats on the filter media  104 . The parallel sides  202  may be configured to extend substantially parallel to the direction of the pleats on the filter media  104 . When connected together, each end of the parallel sides  202  may couple to the end of the perpendicular side  200  thereby forming a perimeter. The filter media  104  may be adapted to secure to the support frame  102  substantially within the perimeter. The parallel sides  202  and/or the perpendicular sides  200  may include the grille portion  108  and/or the duct portion  110 . 
     The perpendicular sides  200 , as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3A , include both the grille portion  108  and the duct portion  110  of the support frame  102 . The grille portion  108  of the perpendicular sides  110 , as shown, is a substantially rectangular shape which is adapted to secure in the grille of an HVAC system. The grille portion  108  of the perpendicular side  200  may be configured to secure one or more support rods  302  to the support frame  102 , as will be described in more detail below. Further, the grille portion  108  of the perpendicular side  200  may be configured to couple to the parallel side  202 . As shown, the parallel side  202  includes an aperture  304  proximate each terminal end of the parallel side  202 . The aperture  304  may be configured to receive a fastening device  306 . The fastening device  306  may secure the parallel side  202  to the perpendicular side  200 . The grille portion  108  of the perpendicular side  200  may further include a recess  308 , shown in  FIG. 3B . Although the grille portion  108  of the perpendicular side  200  is described as having a rectangular shape, it should be appreciated that the perpendicular side  200  may have any suitable shape capable of supporting a portion of the air filter  100  and securing the air filter  100  to an HVAC system including, but not limited to, an L-shaped bracket, a tubular member, a flat plate which may, or may not, include support members for securing the support frame to the grille, a plate with one or more formed grooves, a rail, a plate, and the like. 
     The recess  308 , as shown in  FIG. 3B , may be configured to house at least a portion of the fastener  306  and a rod fastener  310 . The recess  308  may protect the fasteners  306  and the rod fasteners  310  from damage once the support frame  102  is assembled. The recess  308 , as shown, faces radially away from the interior of the support frame  102 ; however, it should be appreciated that the recess  308  may face any suitable direction. Further, the recess  308  may protect the grille, and/or duct work, of the HVAC system from being damaged by the fasteners  306  and/or the rod fasteners  310  during installation, replacement, and use. The recess  308  is shown as a substantially rectangular recess in the grille portion  108  of the perpendicular side  200 ; however, it should be appreciated that the recess  308  may be any suitable shape, including a plurality of shapes. Further, it should be appreciated that the recess  308  is optional and may not be necessary for the support frame  102 . 
     The perpendicular sides  200  may include one or more media supports  312 . The media supports  312 , as shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , may be configured to support a portion of the filter media  104  proximate the perpendicular side  200 . As shown, the media supports  312  extend toward the interior of the air filter  100  from the perpendicular sides  200 . The media supports  312  are shown as being located on and extending from the grille portion  108  and the duct portion  110  of the support frame  102 ; however, it should be appreciated that the media supports  312  may be located only on the grille portion  108  or only on the duct portion  110 . The media supports  312  may have a shape which conforms to the shape of the installed filter media  104 . For example, when using a pleated media, the media supports  312  may have a substantially triangular shape, as shown in  FIG. 3 . Although shown as having a triangular shape, it should be appreciated that the media supports  312  may have any suitable shape configured to support the perimeter edge of the filter media  104  including, but not limited to, triangular with a rounded peak and valley, triangular with a flat peak and valley, rounded peak with angled valley, sinusoidal, flat, and the like. The pleated filter media  104  may be specifically pleated to optimize design to decease static pressure drop and to maximize dust loading capacity. 
     The media supports  312  may be configured to support a portion of the perimeter of the filter media  104 . Further, the media supports  312  may be configured to prevent air flow between the support frame  102  and the filter media  104 . The media supports  312  may extend any suitable distance within the interior of the support frame  102 , so long as the media supports  312  secure the filter media  104  while allowing air to flow through the interior of the filter media  104 . For example, the media supports  312  may extend ¼″ into the interior of the air filter  100 . Further, it should be appreciated that the media support  312  may extend any distance into the interior of the air filter including, but not limited to, 1/16″, ⅛″, ⅜,″ ½″, ⅝″, 1″, 2″, 3,″ 4″, 5″, 6″ and any dimension there between or larger. In order secure the filter media  104  to the media supports  312  there may be one or more media clamps (not shown) configured to secure the filter media  104  to the media supports  312 . The media clamps may have any suitable form, so long as they assist in securing the filter media  104  to the media supports  312  including, but not limited to, a shaped piece having a substantially the same shape as the media supports which clamps the filter media  104  between media support  312  and the shaped piece, a clamp, one or more leaf springs and the like. 
     In one example, the media clamp is an upper media support  720 , as shown in  FIG. 7G . The upper media support  720  may be configured to substantially mirror the shape of the media support  312 . The upper media support  720  may be configured to secure the filter media  104  between the upper media support  720  and the media support  312 . Thus, a portion of the perimeter of the filter media  104  may be placed on media support  312 . The upper media support  720  may then engage the filter media  104  on top of the filter media  104 . The upper media support  720  may have a mirrored shape to the media support  312  thereby allowing the upper media support  720  to engage a large portion of the filter media  104 , which is supported by the media support  312 . The upper media support  720  may extend the entire length of the media supports  312 , or only a portion thereof. Further, the upper media supports  720  may only include a portion that mirrors the shape of the media supports  312 , or the upper media supports  720  may include a support structure for supporting the upper media support  720 . In one example, the upper media support  720  may have a support structure which may include a top portion  722  that fits over the top of the perpendicular side  200 . Further, the support structure may have a back portion  724  which fits over the top of the perpendicular side  200  and onto the exterior surface of the perpendicular side  200  in order to secure the support structure of the upper media support to the media support  312  and/or the perpendicular side  200 . The perpendicular side  200  may include a channel  726 , which a portion of the perpendicular side  200  fits within. The channel  726  may act as a housing and prevent a portion of the perpendicular side  200  from being damaged. Further, the channel  726  may provide support for the upper media support  720  to secure to the perpendicular side. 
     In addition to, or an alternative to the media clamp, the air filter  100  may include an optional adhesive surface on the filter media  104  and/or the media supports  312 . The adhesive surface may be any suitable adhesive surface including, but not limited to, a glue, a hook and loop system, and the like. 
     The duct portion  110  of the parallel side  200  may be integral with the grille portion  108  or a separate piece which may couple to the grille portion  108 . As shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 A and  3 B, the duct portion  110  is substantially flat, having a shape which substantially conforms to the shape of the media supports  312 . The duct portion  110  may be an optional portion for the air filter  100 . The duct portion  110  may only be necessary when trying to increase the life and efficiency of the air filter  100  by using a larger filter media  104  than is typically sized for that particular HVAC system. The duct portion  110  may have any suitable size and shape so long as the duct portion  110  supports the media supports  312  as they extend beyond the grille portion  108  including, but not limited to, rectangular shaped, triangular shaped, sinusoidal, and the like. 
     The parallel sides  202  may be configured to secure to the perpendicular sides  200  with the fastening device  306  in order to form the perimeter. The parallel side  202  may have any shape suitable for forming and supporting a portion of the perimeter of the support frame  104 . As shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 A and  3 B, the parallel sides  202  are L-shaped brackets. The L-shaped brackets have a support frame side and a grille side. The support frame side is configured to engage the perpendicular sides  200  and, optionally, the filter media  104 . The grille side may be configured to engage a portion of the grille of the HVAC system thereby assisting in securing the air filter  100  in the grille. Although shown as an L-shaped bracket, it should be appreciated that the parallel side  202  may have any suitable shape, including, but not limited to, any of the shapes described for the grille portion  108  of the perpendicular sides  200 . The shape of the parallel side  202  may be configured to prevent torque or twisting in the assembled support frame  102 . The filter media  104  may attach to the parallel side  202  in a manner that prevents the flow of air between the parallel side  202  and the filter media  104 . In another embodiment, the filter media  104  may attach to a member that is separate from or coupled to the parallel sides  202 . The filter media  104  may secure to the parallel side  202  near the terminal end of the filter media  104 . The filter media  104  may secure to the support frame side and/or the grille side of the perpendicular side  202 . 
     A filter media clip  314  may secure the filter media  104  to the parallel side  202 . The filter media clip  314  may be any suitable device capable of securing the filter media  104  to the parallel sides  202  and/or the support frame  102 . In one embodiment, the filter media clip  314  is a clamp which extends substantially the length of a side of the frame, as shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B . Thus, a portion of the filter media  104  may be placed over the edge of the parallel side  202 . The filter media clip  314  may be opened and placed over both the filter media  104  and the parallel side  202 . The filter media clip  314  may then be closed, thereby securing the filter media  104  to the support frame  102 . If there is an excessive amount of filter media  104  extending beyond the filter media clip  314 , the filter media  104  may be cut to fit. Although the filter media clip  314  is described as being a clamp extending substantially the length of the side of the support frame  102 , it should be appreciated that any suitable device may be used to secure the filter media  104  to the support frame  102  including, but not limited to, an adhesive, a loop and hook system, a clip, one or more hooks for gripping the filter media  104 , one or more magnets, one or more wire clips, and the like. 
     The fastening device  306  may be any device suitable for securing the parallel side  202  to the perpendicular side  200 . As shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the fastening device is a screw which screws in to a separate nut located in the recess  308 . It should be appreciated that the screw may screw directly into the parallel side  202  and/or the perpendicular side  200 . The recess  308  may be configured to secure the nut of the fastening device within the recess  308 . With the nut secured in the recess  308 , the user may turn the screw while the recess  308  prevents the nut from rotating. Further, it should be appreciated that the fastening device  306  may be any suitable device for securing the perpendicular side  200  to the parallel side  202  together including, but not limited to, a press fitting, a weld, an adhesive, nail, a rivet, and the like. Although the fastening device  306  is described as securing the perpendicular side  200  to the parallel side  202 , it should be appreciated that the support frame  102  may be one integral piece, thereby not needing the fastening device  306 . 
     The support rods  302  may extend from one side of the perimeter of the support frame  102  to the other side of the support frame  102 . The support rods  302  may be configured to support the interior of the filter media  104  between the perimeter of the support frame  102 . As shown in  FIG. 3A , the support rods  302  extend substantially parallel between the perpendicular sides  200  of the support frame  102 . The support rods  302  may be located proximate a peak of the media supports  312  in an embodiment. Thus, the filter media  104  may be supported proximate a peak of the media support  312  near the perimeter of the support frame  102 , and the filter media  104  may be supported at the filter media&#39;s  104  peak in the interior of the air filter  100  by the support rods  302 . A portion of the filter media  104  is configured to rest on the support rods  302  during use in the HVAC system. The support rods  302  as shown are rods; however, it should be appreciated that the support rods  302  may have any suitable shape including, but not limited to, a tubular shape, a rectangular shape, a string, and the like. Further, although the support rods  302  are shown as extending in one direction in a substantially parallel manner across the support frame  102 , it should be appreciated that the support rods may cross the support frame  102  in multiple directions with multiple spacing. In an embodiment, the support rods  302  may be substantially flexible members. These flexible support rods  302  may be preinstalled in the support frame  102 . During shipping, the perpendicular sides may be placed proximate one another and the flexible support rods  302  may bend without disengaging the perpendicular sides  200 . In this embodiment, the user does not need to secure the support rods  302  to the support frame  102 , but simply couple the parallel sides  202  to the perpendicular sides  200 , thereby making the support rods extend to a taught, or extended, position. 
     The support rods  302  may couple to the support frame  102  in any suitable manner. As shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the ends of the support rods  302  extend through the perpendicular sides  200 , gripped by the rod fasteners  310 . In one embodiment, the rod fasteners  310  may be any device suitable for gripping the support rods  302  including, but not limited to, a clamp, a crimp, a bend in the support rod  302 , a knot, and the like. Further, it should be appreciated that the support rods  302  may be coupled to the support frame  102  in any suitable manner, including, but not limited to, being integral with the support frame  102 , welding, clamping, soldering, tying, and the like. 
     The support frame  102  may be constructed of any suitable material, or combination of materials. For example, the entire support frame may be formed of a combination of plastic and/or metallic parts. The support rods  302  may be constructed of any suitable material. In one embodiment, the support rods  302  are monofilament rods. Further, the support rods  302  and/or the support frame  102  may be constructed of any suitable material and/or combination of materials including, but not limited to, metal, plastic, rubber, a wood, aluminum extrude, a synthetic material, a ceramic, and the like. 
     The filter media  104  may be a pleated media as shown in  FIG. 4 , in one embodiment. The filter media  104  may be constructed of a material that allows air to flow through the filter media  104  while trapping particles and/or dust in the filter media  104 . The pleats may form a series of V shapes, wherein a plurality of peaks  400  and a plurality of valleys  402  of the Vs run substantially parallel to the support rods  302  and/or the parallel sides  202 . The air filter  100  is configured so that the air flows toward the peaks  400  and into the valleys  402 . As the air engages the filter media  104 , the dust and particles in the air are caught in the filter media  104  and the air passes through the filter media  104  with less airborne particles. The V shapes of the pleats may minimize deflection of the air, as the air passes through the air filter  100 . The angle of the pleats may be adjusted depending on the need of the user. Although the filter media  104  is described as having a series of V shapes, it should be appreciated that any suitable configuration for the filter media  104  may be used including, but not limited to, pleats having rounded peaks and valleys, a sinusoidal shape, a flat shape, and any shape describe herein for the media supports, and the like. 
     The peaks  400  and valleys  402  may be spaced a distance of X from one another when looking at the filter media  104  from an end. The distance X may be uniform across the entire filter  100 , or may vary depending on the needs of the user. The depth D of the filter media  104  may be the distance from substantially all the peaks  400  to substantially all of the valleys  402 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . The distance D may vary depending on the size of the support frame  102  and the HVAC system. In one embodiment, the distance D is 4″; however, it should be appreciated that the distance D may be any suitable distance depending on the HVAC system and the needs of the user. 
     The filter media  104  may be configured to engage the media supports  312 . The ends of the filter media  104  which run substantially perpendicular to the peaks  400  may each engage a portion of the media supports  312 . The media supports  312  may prevent the filter media  104  from moving into the ducting. Further, the media supports  312  may allow the filter media  104  to form a substantial seal between the filter media  104  and the media supports  312 . In one embodiment, the filter media  104  rests on the upstream side of the media supports  312 ; however, it should be appreciated that the filter media  104  may engage the media supports  312  in any suitable manner so long as the media supports  312  engage the filter media  104 . 
     In one embodiment, the peaks  400  of the filter media  104  may to rest on the support rods  302 . The support rods  302  may prevent the filter media  104  from moving substantially into the ducting of the HVAC system during operation. Each of the peaks  400  may engage a support rod  302 , or only select peaks  400  may engage the support rods  302  depending on the filter media&#39;s  104  ability to resist deflection during operation. 
     The filter media  104  may be made of polyester, in one embodiment. The filter media  104  may be formed by an extrusion process. Further, the filter media  104  may be any suitable filter material including, but not limited to, a cotton fiber material, a foam, high impact polystyrene, a fiberglass, and the like. Further, the filter media  104  may be coated with a coating material configured to attract dust, dirt and other particles or contaminants. The filter media  104  may include a coating. The coating may be applied to the filter media  104  in order to control odor, kill germs, kill bacteria, kill viruses, kill other biological contaminants, prevent bacteria, viruses and biological contaminants from passing the coating, and the like. 
     Further, the coating may include siloxane coatings, siloxane coatings applied as reactive silanols, Oligomeric silicon coating compositions, Silane-based coatings, Silicon-based or silicon-containing coatings and penetrants, alkylalkoxysilanes, alkyltrialkoxysilanes, oligomerous alkylalkoxysiloxanes, silsesquioxanes, silicates (including ethyl silicates, sodium silicates, and potassium silicates), methyl siliconates, blends of the above, and hybrid organic-inorganic paints and coatings, including silicone alkyds, epoxy-siloxane coatings and acylic-siloxane coatings. a siloxanol polymer gel forming Si—O—Si chains that further cures to form a hard, adherent layer of silsesquioxanes (RsiO.sub.2/3), a dense, siloxane film where organic moieties are oriented toward the surface of the film causing a permanent, positive surface potential. 
     The silicon atoms in the siloxane coating matrix strongly attract electrons, while the surface organic groups easily give up electrons. This phenomenon allows the electron cloud to skew downward, affecting an electron deficient surface that has a net positive charge for the life of the coating. The coating of any of the aforementioned and virtually any surface allows this unique property to form. Siloxane coatings are also very resistant to micro-organisms because of the very tight silica oxygen polymer formed, with the small sub-nanometer sized molecules, with the positive charged surface. 
     Surfaces treated with reactive silanols to the methods described herein are not only anti-microbial, but can be made sterile or the microbe population can be reduced to below the Minimal Infection Concentration (MIC) with no cleaning, minimal cleaning with simple soap and water instead of disinfectants or harsh chemicals, or can be decontaminated with harsh chemicals or disinfectants and no scrubbing without damaging the treated surfaces. 
     A simplified model in accordance with principles of the present invention is shown below. 
     This simplified model of cured siloxane applied as a reactive silanol illustrating organic groups oriented at the surface of an interpenetrating network of siloxane covalently bonded to the substrate. Oligomeric Siloxane coatings can be of two basic types. The first are the type of siloxane that is a multi-part catalyzed system as cited in the patents referenced or an organo-silane catalyzed in a similar manner. The second is a partially catalyzed siloxane coating where moisture is absorbed from the air or artificial means to complete hydrolysis of component silanes upon application; or a partially catalyzed siloxane where in silane hydrolyzation into silanols is interrupted by diluting with 50-90% by weight solvent. The partially hydrolyzed reactive silanol exhibits very low molecular weight silanols which can be applied to a surface by spray or wipe. After one to five minutes to allow the silanols to bond with the surface and to allow most of the solvent to solve off, a catalyzing or curing agent such as dilute acetic acid in water is used to supply moisture for hydrolysis, polycondesation, and siloxane formation into a more robust film to form a very thin coating that is not as durable as a multi-part catalyzed coating, but can be easily applied by untrained consumers or maintenance personnel as a single or two-part system, usually in a simple spray bottle. Such coatings applied to any of the filter media stated, will provide an electron deficient surface, in effect, a positively charged surface, that will not provide a media for multiplication of viruses and bacteria, and will through their structure of small molecules and hydrophobic and oleophobic surfaces provide an ease of cleaning of residues for a decontamination process. Organo-siloxanes and silanes are also envisioned under this invention; however, they do not exhibit the compact structure that oligomeric siloxanes applied as reactive silanol sols exhibit due to molecule size, stability, and durability and would be deficient in the cleaning ability as they would be more susceptible to penetration and adherence of microbial growth, and would also may be less polar on their surface displaying less positive surface charge. Also, if organo compounds such as polyls or large (C.sub.16 or greater) organosilanes are used that may exhibit equal or greater surface charge, the permanence of the surface would be greatly reduced. 
     The filter media  104  may not conform to all sizes of support frames  102 . However, due to the material used for the filter media  104 , the filter media  104  may be easily cut to fit any of the air filters  100  described herein. For example, if there are too many pleats in the filter media  104 , thereby making the installed filter media  104  extend beyond the parallel side  202 , the user may simply cut or tear the media along a peak  400  and/or valley  402  of the filter media  104 . Further, if the length of the peaks  400  and valleys  402  extend beyond the length of the parallel sides  202  of the air filter  100 , the user may simply cut or tear the filter media  104  across the pleats thereby shortening the length of the filter media  104 . 
     The filter media  104 , in an alternative or additional embodiment, may be a self-supporting material, or combination of materials. For example, the filter media may have a wire mesh, and/or plastic mesh, which assist in supporting the filter media  104  in the air filter  100 . In this instance, the number of support rods  302  may be reduced or eliminated. Any suitable method of making the filter media self-supporting may be used including, but not limited to, a heat set self-support filter media. 
       FIG. 5  depicts an air filter  500  according to yet another embodiment. The air filter  500  may include a support frame  502  and the filter media  104 . The filter media  104  may be configured to be removed and replaced from the air filter  500  without the need to replace the support frame  502 . The air filter  500  may be adapted to fit within an existing HVAC return air grille. To this end, the support frame  502  of the air filter  500  may be sized to have similar perimeter dimensions as a traditional cardboard air filter. For example, the support frame  502  may have a width W, as shown in  FIG. 6 , that is similar to most residential HVAC grilles, for example a 1″ depth. Further, the support frame may have any suitable width W depending on the HVAC system including, but not limited to, ½″ 2″, 3,″ 4″, 5″, 6″, 7″ and larger, and any width there between. 
       FIG. 6  depicts a top cross sectional view of the filter  500 . The filter  500  may include the support rods  302  and the filter media clips  314  as described herein. The support rods  302  may couple to the filter  500  in a similar manner as described above. The filter media clips  314  may be any suitable device for securing the filter media  104  to the support frame  502 . The filter  500  may further include one or more media supports  312 . The media supports  312  may be similar to the media supports  312  described above. The air filter  500  may be of particular use in an HVAC system having a slot, not shown, which the air filter  500  may slide in and out of in order to change the filter media  104 . The slot may prevent the use of a filter  100  having a duct portion which would make the air filter  100  thicker than the slot. 
       FIG. 7A  depicts a front view of the perpendicular side  200  of the air filter  500  in another embodiment. The perpendicular side  200  may include the media supports  312 , an opening  700  for receiving the support rods  302 , an optional groove  702 , and an optional stop  704 . The media supports  312  are shown as being substantially V shaped and having rounded peaks  400  and valleys  402 ; however, it should be appreciated that the media supports  312  may have any suitable shape, including any shape described herein. The media supports  312  assist in supporting the filter media  104  as described above. The openings  700  for receiving the support rods  302  may be located below the peak  400  of the media supports  312 . 
       FIG. 7B  depicts a top view of the perpendicular side  200  with the support rods  302  and coupled to the parallel side  202 . The parallel side  202  is configured to couple to the perpendicular side  200  by any fastener  306  described herein. The groove  702  may run substantially the length of the perpendicular side  200 , as shown, or only run a portion of the length. The groove  702  on the perpendicular side  200  may prevent torque of the entire support frame  502  once assembled. To this end, a rail  706 , and/or profile of the parallel side  200  may engage, and/or couple, to the groove  700  once assembled. Thus, the rail  706  and the groove  700 , when engaged, prevent the sides  200  and  202  of the support frame  502  from moving in any direction relative to one another other than along the longitudinal axis of the parallel side  202 . Therefore, the groove  700  and rail  706  prevent the parallel side  202  from rotating, and/or twisting, relative to the perpendicular side  200 . The groove  700  and the rail  706 , therefore, may increase the rigidity of the frame support  502 . The groove  700 , as shown, is a triangular shaped groove configured to house the triangular shaped rail  706  of the parallel side  202 . However, it should be appreciated that the groove  700  and/or the rail  706  may have any suitable shape capable of decreasing relative movement between the perpendicular side  200  and the parallel side  202  including, but not limited to, a rectangular shape, a rounded shape, a boss, a series of profiles, and the like. 
     The stop  704  may be configured as a limit stop for the parallel side  202 . When the parallel side  202  is engaged to the perpendicular side  200 , the stop  704  may prevent the parallel side  202  from moving past the end of the perpendicular side  200 . As shown, the stop  704  is a lip, or edge, that extends out beyond the end of the perpendicular side  200 ; however, it should be appreciated that the stop may be any suitable shape for preventing the parallel side  202  from moving beyond the stop  704 . When the parallel side  202  is engaged with the stop  704 , the edge of the parallel side  202  and the stop  704  may prevent the parallel side  202  from rotating relative to the perpendicular side  200 . The stop  704  may be used in addition to, or as an alternative to, using the groove  702  and rail  706  to increase rigidity of the support frame  502 . 
     In yet another alternative embodiment, the perpendicular side  200  may include a pocket (not shown), in which the end of the parallel side  202  is inserted. The pocket may surround a portion of the parallel side  202 , thereby preventing the parallel side  202  from moving in any direction except for out of the pocket along the longitudinal axis of the parallel side  202 . The pocket may include the groove  700  and/or the stop  704  in order to prevent rotation and increase rigidity of the support frame  704 . 
     The perpendicular side  200  may include an intermediate wall  708 , as shown in  FIGS. 7A-7C . The intermediate wall  700  may be couple to, or integral with, one end of the media supports  312 . The intermediate wall  708  may include the opening  700 . The opening  700  may be configured to allow the support rods  302  to couple to the support frame  502 . A back view of the intermediate wall  708  is shown in  FIG. 7C . As shown, the intermediate wall  708  may include a portion of the groove  702 . Thus, the intermediate wall  708  may engage a portion of the rail  706  as the parallel side  202  engages the support frame  502 . 
     The support rods  302  may secure to the perpendicular side  200  by any method described herein. The support rods  302  may couple to the openings  700  on the intermediate wall  708 . Further, the support rods  302  may secure to an exterior wall  710 , as shown in  FIG. 7B , of the perpendicular side  200  in a similar manner as described herein. In yet another alternative embodiment, each of the support rods  302  may include a bend  712 , or hook, as shown in  FIG. 7D . The bend  712  may be configured to assist the user in assembling the support frame  502 . In this embodiment, the user may lay each of the perpendicular sides  200  down on their exterior walls  710 , as shown in  FIG. 7E . Each end  714  of each of the support rods  302  may be placed through the openings  700  in the intermediate wall  708 . The support rods  302  may go into the openings  700  up to the point where some portions of the bend  712  engages the opening  700 . The user may repeat this step until all of the ends  714  of the support rods  302  are in a respective opening  700 . The user may then rotate each of the perpendicular sides  200  in a direction that follows the bend  712  of the support rod  302 . As the user rotates the perpendicular sides  200 , each of the openings  700  moves around the bend  712  in the support rod  302  until the portion of the support rod  302  between the end  714  and the bend  712  is substantially parallel with the intermediate wall  708 , as shown in  FIG. 7D . The bend  712  may prevent each of the support rods  302  from inadvertently disengaging from the perpendicular side  200 . 
     With the support rods  302  engaged with each of the perpendicular sides  200 , each of the parallel sides  200  may be coupled to the perpendicular sides  200  in order to form the support frame  502 . The parallel side  202 , as shown in  FIG. 7F , includes the rail  706 . As shown, the rail  706  is formed from a bend, or crimp in the plate that forms the parallel side  202 . However, it should be appreciated that the rail  706  may be formed in the parallel side  202  by any suitable method including, but not limited to, coupling the rail  706  to a flat plate, forming the parallel side  202  as a flat plate with an integral rail  706 , and the like. The rail  706  may engage the groove  702 , and the perpendicular side  200  may be engaged to the parallel side  202  using a fastener, and/or any of the methods and devices described herein. With the perpendicular sides  200  secured to the parallel sides  202 , the support frame  502  is constructed and ready for use with a filter media  104 . 
     The filter media  104  may be coupled to the support frame  502  in a similar manner as described above. For example, each of the peaks  400  of the filter media  104  may be placed on a corresponding peak of the media supports  312 . The interior of the peaks  400  of the filter media  104  may engage, and/or rest on the support rods  302  in the interior portion of the support frame  502 . The ends of the filter media  104  which engage the parallel sides  202  may include the media clips  314  for engaging the filter media  104  to the parallel sides. The media clips  314  may be any suitable clamping device, including those described herein. The air filter  500  may then be placed in service in an HVAC system. The filter media  104  may be replaced without replacing the support frame  502  during the life of the support frame  502 , and/or the HVAC system. 
     In an additional embodiment, the air filters  100  and  500  may include a change indicator which alerts the user that the filter media  104  has become inefficient and needs to be changed. The change indicator may be a color coating on one or more of the support rods  302 . In this embodiment, at least one of the support rods  302  would have a color that was visible through a new, or clean, filter media  104 . For example, the support rod  302  may be a bright orange color which a user could see through the filter media  104  when the filter media  104  was installed on the support frame  102 / 502 . As the air filter  100 / 500  is used, dust and particles gather on the filter media  104 . Eventually, the buildup of dust and particles may obstruct the user&#39;s view of the color coating on the support rods  302 . This visual indicator would let the user know that the filter media  104  was near the end of its life and needed to be changed. Further, the change indicator may be a visual aid embedded directly into the filter media  104 , or the media supports  312 . This visual indicator embedded in the filter media  104  would function in a similar manner as the color coating on the support rod  302 . 
     In another embodiment, the perpendicular sides  200  and/or the parallel sides  202  may be cut in order to shorten the length of the sides  200  and  202 . Thus, the sides  200  and  202  may be shipped to the retail outlet and/or sold to a customer in a size that is large enough to fit in almost any HVAC system. If the customer has a smaller return air filter grille than the length of the perpendicular side  200  and/or the parallel side  202 , the customer may cut the length of the side  200  and/or  202  to fit within the return air filter grille. When cutting the perpendicular side  200  it may be advantageous to cut between the media supports  312 . The media supports  312  may be spaced on 1″ centers. Thus, when the perpendicular side  200  is cut between the media supports  312  the length reduction may be easily calculated by counting the number of media supports  312  to be removed from the perpendicular side  200 . Once the length is shortened to the appropriate size, the end of the recess  308  may be exposed and have no end for securing the fastener  306  to the perpendicular side  200 . An optional end cap (not shown) may be installed on the exposed recess in order to secure the fastener  306  to the perpendicular side  200 . In one embodiment, the end cap has a similar shape as the interior recess  308 . The end cap may be slightly smaller than the recess  308  and configured to fit within the recess  308 . The end cap may have a fastener side which is configured to engage the exposed end of the recess  308 , thereby preventing the end cap from moving completely into the recess. The fastener side may have the aperture  304  for securing the fastener  306  to the end cap and thereby the perpendicular side  200 . Although described as an end cap, it should be appreciated that any suitable device for securing the perpendicular side  200  to the parallel side  202  may used. 
     In yet another alternative embodiment, the perpendicular sides  200  and the parallel sides  202  of the support frame  102 / 502  may be longitudinally adjustable in order to size the support frame  102 / 502  to fit any HVAC system. The sides  200  and  202  may be longitudinally adjustable by any suitable method including, but not limited to, a telescoping side member, an extension that may be added to each of the sides, and the like. 
     The use of the air filter  100 / 500  described herein allows a user to purchase the support frame  102 / 502  and use the support frame  102 / 502  during the life of the HVAC system. The user may then only replace the filter media  104  during the life of the HVAC system, as described above. The support frames  102  and  502  may be shipped and sold as separate units from the filter media  104 , although it should be appreciated that they may be sold together. Because the support frames  102  and  502  are collapsible, they may be shipped and stored in a collapsed form thereby greatly reducing the space required for shipping. Further, the frames  102  and  502  are less susceptible to damage in a collapsed form, thereby reducing the number of defective air filters  100 / 500  after shipping. 
       FIG. 8  depicts several filter media  104  stored in a container  800 . The container  800  may be any container for storing, shipping, selling, and/or working with the filter media  104  including, but not limited to, a box, a plastic bag, a paper bag, one or more elastic bands, a handbag, a backpack, and the like. Because only the filter media  104  has to be replaced during the life of the support frame  102 / 502 , multiple filter media  104  may be stored in a relatively small container, or box, and shipped from the manufacturer to retail, and/or service outlets. Thus, the manufacturer may store multiple filter media  104  in the container  800 . Multiple containers  800  may be shipped to retail outlets and service provider outlets. The space savings in the trucks and railcars saved by storing multiple filter media  104  in the containers  800 , versus the storing a traditional cardboard air filter amounts to at least an 80% freight reduction over the traditional air filters. Further, the retailer may save shelve space by selling the filter media  104  packages, and/or the container  800 , which may contain several filter media  104 . Due to the substantially flat nature of the filter media  104 , the packages may be relatively flat and stacked on one another, and/or hung at the retail outlet. 
     Further, the air filter  100 / 500  may greatly reduce the time and manpower spent servicing multiple retail and/or residential HVAC systems. To this end, a description of servicing one retail outlet will be described; however, it should be appreciated that the method described below may be used in conjunction with a number of retail outlets, residential outlets and a combination thereof. Typical retail outlets have several HVAC systems requiring regular filter replacement located on the roof of the retail outlet. Traditionally, the service provider has had to carry several boxes of bulky cardboard filters up to the top of the retail outlet. This would require several trips with the service provider carrying each of the bulky boxes of filters. Using the air filters  100  and/or  500 , the service provider may load one or more containers  800  with multiple filter media  104 . The service provider may load one or more of the containers  800  in a vehicle, and drive to the retail outlet. One container  800  may include enough of the filter media  104  to replace the filters in each HVAC system at the retail outlet. In one example the container  800  may be a bag, for example, a backpack which the service provider may easily carry to the top of the retail outlet. The service provider may then remove a preinstalled frame  100 / 500  from an HVAC system. The service provider may then remove the old filter media  104  from the support frame  102 / 502  and place it in a second container, for example a garbage container. The service provider may then remove a single filter media  104  from the container  800  and secure the new filter media  104  to the support frame  102 / 502 . The service provider may then replace the air filter  100 / 500  with the new filter media  104  back in the HVAC system. The service provider may then walk to the next air filter to be replaced and repeat the steps above. When the service provider has completed replacing all of the filter media  104 , they may return to the vehicle and dispose of the old filter media  104 , or second container appropriately. 
     In an additional embodiment, a cart, or bag (not shown), may be used to assist the service provider in replacing the filter media  104 . The cart may include the container  800  having new filter media  104  and the second container, wherein used filter media are stored. The cart, or bag, may have one or more wheels and one or more handles. The service provider may bring the cart to the top of the retail outlet and wheel it from HVAC unit to HVAC unit. As the service provider replaces the filter media  104 , they may grab a new filter media from the container  800  and place the used filter media in the second container. 
     In an additional embodiment, two or more air filters  100 / 500  may be secured together to form a larger air filter. For example, to produce a 20″×48″ support frame, commonly used in commercial applications, three 16″×20″ support frames  102 / 502  may be attached side by side. In this configuration, two sides  200  or  202  of two separate air filters  100 / 500  may couple together at two locations on the interior of the 20″×48″ air filter. The two connected sides  200  or  202  would form a common rail which would act as a structural support for the interior of the larger air filter. Typically, the parallel sides  202  would be coupled together as the common rail. The common rail may also be used as a pleat support, in a similar manner as the support rods  302 . This allows the filter media  104  to lay uninterrupted across multiple sections of frame. 
     The parallel sides  202  may be stacked on top of one another during shipping and fabrication in order to save space. Further, during the fabrication of the parallel sides  202  the sides may be stacked upon one another in an interlocking fashion thereby becoming like one solid bar. Cutting the stacked interlocked sides  202  produces a smooth edge on the sides  202  that requires no de-burring. 
       FIG. 9  depicts a finger end cap assembly  810 , configured according to principles of the disclosure.  FIG. 10  depicts an exemplary end cap  830 , configured according to principles of the disclosure. The end cap assembly  810  may comprise a support member  825 , with connecting ends  820   a ,  820   b  at opposing ends of the support member  825 . A plurality of fingers  815 , which may be configured in like manner as media supports  312 , may be configured as a plurality of generally V-shape members extending from a side of the support member  825 . The plurality of fingers  815  may be configured to hold a plurality of support rods  840  ( FIG. 12A ). A pair of finger end cap assemblies  810  may be configured as shown in  FIG. 13  along with a pair of end caps  830  ( FIG. 10 ) to form a frame  850  for use in holding or supporting media filter  104  therein. 
     In  FIG. 9 , the plurality of fingers  815  may be connected to the support member  825 . The plurality of fingers  815  may be formed as a monolithic component with the support member  825 . The plurality of fingers  815  may be configured to be offset  824  ( FIG. 11C ) laterally from the support member  825  so that one side  818  of the plurality of fingers  815  aligns with one side  817  of the support member  825 , while an opposite side  819  of the plurality of fingers  815  may not align with the any side of support member  825 ; but may be parallel. 
     End finger  816 A and  816 B (i.e., one side of a V) may not be connected to the support member  825  and may be freely floating so that the filter media  104  may be more easily attached on the ends of the end cap assembly  810  for securing the filter media  104  within the completed frame  850 . 
     Connecting ends  820   a  and  820   b  may be configured as female recesses shaped in a rectangular, square manner, or similar shape, for receiving a male end  835 A of an end cap  830  ( FIG. 10 ). Alternatively, the location of the female and male ends may be reversed. The female recess of ends  820   a  and  820  may be keyed so that a correctly keyed male end  835 A of the end cap  830  causes proper orientation of the pair of finger end cap assemblies  810  to form an assembled frame  850  ( FIG. 3 ). In this way, the orientation the fingers  815  may be properly achieved when assembling the frame  850 . For example, a key tab  821  may be formed within the female recess  820 A that aligns with a key slot  822  of male end  835 A. The other female recess  820 B may not be keyed, or may be keyed differently from female recess  820 A. The other male end  835 B may not be keyed or may be keyed to mate with female end  820 B (which may be differently keyed as compared with  820 A/ 835 A). In any keying scheme, the key scheme promotes proper orientation of the pair of finger end cap assemblies  810  so that support rods  840  can be received and inserted therebetween in the V-shaped fingers or valleys. The keying scheme promotes easy assembly, minimizing difficulty for an installer. 
     The pair of end caps  830  may be releasably connected to a pair of finger end cap assemblies  810  ( FIG. 13 ). Preferably, but not a requirement, the pair of end caps  830  may be non-releasably connected to the pair of finger end cap assemblies  810 , so that the frame  850  once assembled is more sturdy and durable. 
       FIG. 12A  illustrates a support rod  840 , configured according to principles of the disclosure.  FIG. 12B  is a close-up view of an end of the support rod of  FIG. 12A . The support rod  840  and/or support rod  302  may comprise an elongated support mechanism or member configured to engage the filter media  104 . An attaching mechanism  824 A,  824 B may be configured at each end of the support rod  840 . The attaching mechanisms  824 A,  824 B may comprise a protrusion extending axially from each end of the support rod  840 . One or more support rods  840  can be received and inserted between the pair of finger end cap assemblies  810  using attaching mechanisms  824 A,  824 B, which may be held in place in the opposing V-shaped fingers during assembly of the frame  850 . Alternately, support rod  840  can be inserted (or removed) between the pair of finger end cap assemblies  810  after assembly of the frame  850  by bending the support rod  840  into the V-shaped fingers  815 . A plurality of support rods  840  may receive the filter media  104 . The media filter  104  may be expanded analogous to an accordion to match the valleys of the filter media with the spacing of the support rod  840  held by fingers  815 . The support rod  840  may be generally V-shaped. 
       FIG. 13  shows an example of an assembled frame  850 , configured according to principles of the disclosure. The assembled frame  850  may comprise a pair of end caps  830 , a pair of finger end cap assemblies  810 . The frame  850  may be configured with a plurality of support rods  840  that engages the fingers  815  in an apex of the V portion of each of the fingers proximate the support member  825 . The support rod  840  may be engaged on the side of the fingers  815  facing into oncoming air flow. The assembled frame may be sized to fit many duct works common in the heating industry so that the frame  850  may be inserted and/or removed from the duct work or air cleaner assemblies. The filter media  104  may be easily replaced as needed, such as when dirty, by simply lifting the media filter out of the frame  850  and replacing the media filter with a replacement by expanding the clean media filter to align ridges and valleys with support rod  840  and dropping the media filter into the frame upon the support rods  840 . Optionally, the ends of the media filter  104  may be secured to the ends of the frame  850  by a clip (e.g., clip  314 ), tape or the like, as needed. 
       FIG. 14A  depicts filter media in an expanded state, configured according to principles of the disclosure.  FIG. 14B  depicts filter media in an unexpanded state, configured according to principles of the disclosure. Filter media  104  may be pre-formed so that the V-shape ridges and valleys are configured with a pre-shaped V at each apex of the ridge and valley. This V-shape and apex of the media filter  104  may be formed by pressing during the manufacturing process. Filter media  104  may be monolithic. The V-shaped pleat of the filter media may have a ridge and a valley, wherein the air filtering media is collapsible and expandable and is configured to accept a plurality of support rods or media rods in an interior upstream side of the pleated filter media  104 , wherein a distance between adjacent peaks of the plurality of peaks is uniform across an entire expanded air filtering media. The placement of the plurality of support rods  840  in the interior upstream side of the pleated filter media  104  permits optimizing exposure of the air filtering media  104  to the air stream. Optimization includes permitting substantially all of the surface area (on one side) of the pleated material to face the oncoming air flow without any deflection of the air flow on the outer surface that faces the oncoming airstream. The positioning of the support rods  840  in the interior of the peaks, opposite oncoming airflow, significantly increases effectiveness of dust stopping or particulate loading. The peaks and valleys may be symmetrical with one another. In one aspect, a majority of the peaks and valleys may be symmetrical with one another. Each apex of the V-shaped pleat may be configured to operate as a type of hinge to permit expanding and collapsing of the filter media  104  and maintaining the overall relationship and form of the plurality of peaks and plurality of valleys, both in the expanded state and the expanded state. The pleated filter media  104  may be specifically configured to optimally decrease static pressure drop and maximize dust loading capacity. The one or more support rods may be configured to engage a peak of the pleated media to permit optimally decreasing static pressure drop and maximizing dust loading capacity of the pleated media. 
     The V-shape of the media filter  104  is shaped and sufficiently strong and the pressing sufficient that when expanded, the filter media  104  can stand upright on its own (such as when placed on its end on a firm surface) and maintain the V-shapes across the length of the filter media  104 . The accordion action of the media filter permits the media filter  104  to be expanded from a collapsed state to an expanded shape. The distance between peaks of the filter media  104  may be selected based on the distances between media supports  830  in frame  850 .  FIG. 14B  illustrates the filter media in a collapsed state, such as for packaging and shipping. In the collapsed state, the distance between peaks may be essentially zero. The collapsed state permits minimizing volume for packing. The filter media  104  may include an antimicrobial material. The filter media  104  may include a coating material configured to deter microbial and bacteria growth. 
       FIG. 15  depicts a retro-fit kit and its use, so that the filter media  104  may be used in legacy heat or air cleaner housing unit; generically an air handler cabinet or a media cabinet. Media cabinet  835  is an example of a typical legacy unit that can be configured with a filter media. Legacy media cabinet  835  is illustrative as it may be of different configurations. Air flow is from one side to the other side of the media cabinet  835 , across the narrower cross-section of the cabinet  835 , such as, e.g., shown by the air flow arrow. The sides of the media cabinet  835  are typically substantially open to permit air flow. A pair of channels which may be a pair of, e.g., U-channels  830 R may be affixed along an internal wall of the media cabinet  835 , at opposing sides of the cabinet  835 . The projecting sidewalls of the U-channels  830 R may be oriented to project towards the opposing U-Channel  830 R. The U-channels  830 R may be positioned as required along a suitable side of the cabinet as to correctly orient the assembled frame  850  when inserted. This may be accomplished by adhesive of other attaching means such as, e.g. screws, rivets, clips or the like, to affix the U-channels  830 R. Assembled frame  850 , with or without filter media  104 , may be slideably inserted along the U-channels  830 R so that the assembled frame  850  and V-shaped filter media  104  can be used in legacy systems. End caps  830  of the assembled frame  850  may mate with the opposing channels  830 R in media cabinet  835  to hold the assembled frame  850  in the media cabinet  835 . V-shaped filter media  104  may be inserted into assembled frame  850  as needed, and replaced as needed. Depending on a particular legacy media cabinet  835 , the assembled frame  850  may or may not be required to be removed to replace filter media  104 . The assembled frame  850  may require proper orientation in relation to the air flow, which may be achieved by placement of the U-Channels  830 R along one side or the other of the cabinet  835 . The assembled frame  850  may require that it be re-oriented end-for-end in order to be inserted into the U-channels  830 R in the cabinet  835  so that air flow enters the filter media  104  in a proper direction; which is the case for  FIG. 15 . 
     While the embodiments are described with reference to various implementations and exploitations, it will be understood that these embodiments are illustrative and that the scope of the inventive subject matter is not limited to them. Many variations, modifications, additions and improvements are possible. 
     Plural instances may be provided for components, operations or structures described herein as a single instance. In general, structures and functionality presented as separate components in the exemplary configurations may be implemented as a combined structure or component. Similarly, structures and functionality presented as a single component may be implemented as separate components. These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvements may fall within the scope of the inventive subject matter.