Patent ID: 7462282

Claim:
A filter element, comprising: a filter cylinder having a filter mat web arranged in a series of folds adjacent to one another at least in individual areas thereof, each of said folds having two radial members extending radially inwardly and connected by a crown on radial outward fold ends, said filter mat web having two web ends extending a height of said filter mat web and connected to one another at a junction point forming said filter mat web into an annular element, two of said folds being adjacent to said junction point and on opposite sides thereof; a fluid permeable support tube surrounding said filter cylinder; and a retaining device with retaining elements overlapping said two of said folds on outer surfaces of said radial members thereof remote from said junction point; whereby, when fluid to be filtered flows through said filter element from an interior thereof to an exterior thereof, said retaining device resists bulging of said two of said folds and separation of said web ends of said filter mat web.