Patent ID: 8313567

Claim:
A direct replacement automatic media advancing air handler filter within an air flow channel comprising: a unitary housing having a uniform thickness throughout the length and width of the unitary housing and an at least one exposure slot; an at least one filter media storage area, having unexposed filter media stored therein, the unexposed filter media being pleated, folded, and stacked to be compactly held within the at least one filter media storage area; an at least one motor coupled to an independent power supply and in communication with a controller, the at least one motor moving an at least one cord, wire, or string, and the at least one cord, wire, or string is further attached to the pleated filter media via reinforcement tabs that pays out an unexposed portion of the at least one filter media into the at least one exposure slot and exposes the unexposed portion of the at least one filter media to the air flow channel creating an exposed portion of the at least one filter media, the exposed portion being paid out across an at least one supporting member with the at least one supporting member forcing the at least one filter media to fold at its pleats into a zig-zag pattern when placed into an air flow in the air flow channel and the paying out the at least one filter media being based on output from the controller; and a containment area, wherein the exposed portion of the at least one filter media is collected and retained within the containment area.