Patent ID: 7959699

Claim:
A collapsible filter assembly comprising: a pleated filter media having a plurality of pleats and a first end and a second end, a first end cap attached to the first end of the pleated filter media having a first top arm and a first bottom arm rotatably attached, and a second end cap attached to the second end of the pleated filter media having a second top arm and a second bottom arm rotatably attached, wherein the first top arm and the second bottom arm are a first length and the second top arm and the first bottom arm are a second length that differs from the first length, wherein the first top arm and the second top arm are manufactured to overlap when positioned perpendicular to the first end cap and the second end cap to form a top portion of a filter frame for the collapsible filter assembly, the first top arm or the second top arm including a securing means that is positioned thereon to secure the first top arm and the second top arm together to form the top portion of the filter frame, the first top arm, the second top arm, the first end cap and the second end cap including side rails that are positioned to extend over the pleated filter media when the filter frame is formed, at least some of the side rails including an adhesive that is positioned where the side rails of the first and the second top arm engage the side rails of the first and second end caps.