Patent ID: 7125490

Claim:
A single layered filter comprising a first end, a second end, a longitudinal axis extending between said first and second ends, and an inner diameter defined by a hollow longitudinally extending center, said single layered filter comprising: a self-supporting rigid porous thermoplastic filter material; radially-outwardly extending self-supporting curved fingers made of said filter material curving around said longitudinal axis and having base ends near said longitudinal axis and outer edges at extremities spaced from said longitudinal axis; wherein: said fingers each having a first curved face and a second curved face, the first curved face in communication with the hollow longitudinally extending center and said second curved face facing opposite of said first curved face; and said fingers are spaced apart from one another such that the second curved faces of adjacent fingers do not touch each other and slots are formed between the second curved faces of said adjacent fingers and the first curved faces of adjacent fingers do not touch each other and internal slots are formed between the first curved faces of said adjacent fingers.