Patent ID: 7625418

Claim:
A pleated fluid filter arrangement comprising: at least one layer of fluid filter media having opposed upstream and downstream filter media faces and being pleated into at least one pair of longitudinally extending adjacent opposed successive pleat flanks of selected depth and spacing between successive pleat flanks to provide spaced upstream and downstream filter face crests and valleys; and, said at least one opposed pair of successive opposed pleat flanks along at least one face of said filter media being separated by an embossed spacer member unitary with and extending from a planar portion of one of said pair of opposed flanks to a planar portion of the opposite flank of said pair to be firmly held thereto in firm flank spacing relationship each of said pleat flanks having said embossed spacer members from one surface of said pleat flanks and defining cavities on an opposite surface of said pleat planks, said embossed spacer members all extending in a first direction and said cavities all facing in a second direction opposite the first direction; said embossed spacer members of one pleat flank of said pair of opposed pleat flanks being offset in a direction substantially transverse to a longitudinal direction from said cavities of the other pleat flank of said pair of opposed pleat flanks so that an adhesive material disposed on an outermost surface of said embossed spacer member of said one pleat flank engages a planar portion of the other of said pleat flank of said pair of opposed pleat flanks.