Patent ID: 7425227

Claim:
A filter element, comprising: a pleated filter media including a plurality of pleats, wherein each pleat of the plurality of pleats includes a first panel, and a second panel, wherein the first panel and the second panel each include a first side, a second side opposite the first side, and a plurality of elongated embossments that extend outwardly from each of the first side and the second side of the first panel and second panel, and a plurality of unembossed portions between each elongated embossment, wherein two or more of the plurality of elongated embossments of a first pleat of the plurality of pleats abuts two or more of the plurality of unembossed portions a second pleat, and, wherein two or more of the plurality of elongated embossments of the second pleat of the plurality of pleats abuts two or more of the plurality of unembossed portions of the first pleat to define adjacent pleats, wherein the adjacent pleats define two or more gaps between the first and second pleats, wherein the two or more gaps are asymmetrical according to an axis of symmetry extending through each of the two or more of the plurality of elongated embossments of the first and second pleats.