Patent ID: 7438812

Claim:
A filter element comprising a cylindrical filter media and an exoskeleton for the filter media; the filter media being formed from only cellulose-fiber-free and woven-mesh-free layers which are folded to form a plurality of longitudinally-extending pleats having radially inner-peaks defining an inner diameter and radially-outer peaks defining an outer diameter; the exoskeleton comprising a support screen thermally bonded to the radially-outer peaks of the filter media, providing an at least 50% open flow area, and providing a tight array of attachment points supporting the pleats in an appropriately spaced and non-collapsed condition; the support screen comprising a sheet of screen material having a width approximately equal to the axial dimension of the filter media; the filter element being characterized by the absence of cellulose-fiber and woven-mesh endoskeleton support layers in the filter media and by the absence of a support structure surrounding the support screen.