Support and drainage material, filter, and method of use

A support and drainage material comprising a foldable element comprising:

• at least one first section having a first end and a second end, a first side and a second side, a first major surface and a second major surface, and at least one first section aperture extending a length of at least about 75% a distance between the first end and the second end, and extending a length of about 2% to about 100% a distance between the first side and the second side;
• and,
• at least one second section having a first end and a second end, a first side and a second side, a first major surface and a second major surface, and a plurality of parallel flow channels extending from the first end to the second end, the flow channels comprising side walls arranged in parallel and projecting upwardly from, and perpendicular to, the first major surface, the side walls having top walls;
• wherein the first section is connected to the second section by a flexible hinge;
• and,
• wherein, when the foldable element is folded, a portion of the second section fits in the at least one aperture of the at least one first section, providing parallel flow channels.

A support and drainage material system comprising a first support and drainage material and a second separate support and drainage material;

• (a) the first support and drainage material comprising:
• at least one first section having a first end and a second end, a first side and a second side, a first major surface and a second major surface, and a plurality of parallel flow channels extending from the first end to the second end, the flow channels comprising side walls arranged in parallel and projecting upwardly from, and perpendicular to, the first major surface, the side walls having top walls;
• and,
• at least one second section having a first end and a second end, a first side and a second side, a first major surface and a second major surface, and a plurality of parallel flow channels extending from the first end to the second end, the flow channels comprising side walls arranged in parallel and projecting upwardly from, and perpendicular to, the first major surface, the side walls having top walls;
• wherein the first section is connected to the second section by a flexible hinge;
• wherein, the at least one first section further comprises at least one first section aperture extending a length of at least about 75% a distance between the first end and the second end, and extending a length of about 2% to about 100% a distance between the first side and the second side, and/or the at least one second section further comprises at least one second section aperture extending a length of at least about 75% a distance between the first end and the second end, and extending a length of about 2% to about 100% a distance between the first side and the second side;
• wherein, when the foldable element is folded, a portion of the first section fits in the at least one aperture of the at least one second section, and/or a portion of the second section fits in the at least one aperture of the at least one first section, providing parallel flow channels;
• (b) the second support and drainage material comprising:
• at least one first section having a first end and a second end, a first side and a second side, a first major surface and a second major surface, and a plurality of parallel flow channels extending from the first end to the second end, the flow channels comprising side walls arranged in parallel and projecting upwardly from, and perpendicular to, the first major surface, the side walls having top walls;
• and,
• at least one second section having a first end and a second end, a first side and a second side, a first major surface and a second major surface, and a plurality of parallel flow channels extending from the first end to the second end, the flow channels comprising side walls arranged in parallel and projecting upwardly from, and perpendicular to, the first major surface, the side walls having top walls;
• wherein the first section is connected to the second section by a flexible hinge;
• wherein, the at least one first section further comprises at least one first section aperture extending a length of at least about 75% a distance between the first end and the second end, and extending a length of about 2% to about 100% a distance between the first side and the second side, and/or the at least one second section further comprises at least one second section aperture extending a length of at least about 75% a distance between the first end and the second end, and a extending a length of about 2% to about 100% a distance between the first side and the second side;
• wherein, when the foldable element is folded, a portion of the first section fits in the at least one aperture of the at least one second section, and/or a portion of the second section fits in the at least one aperture of the at least one first section, providing parallel flow channels
• wherein the first support and drainage material and the second support and drainage material are suitable for arrangement on opposing sides of a pleated filter having pleat roots and pleat tips.

A support and drainage material system comprising

• a first support and drainage material and a second separate support and drainage material;
• (a) the first support and drainage material comprising:
• at least one first section having a first end and a second end, a first side and a second side, a first major surface and a second major surface, and at least one first section aperture extending a length of at least about 75% a distance between the first end and the second end, and extending a length of about 2% to about 100% a distance between the first side and the second side;
• and,
• at least one second section having a first end and a second end, a first side and a second side, a first major surface and a second major surface, and a plurality of parallel flow channels extending from the first end to the second end, the flow channels comprising side walls arranged in parallel and projecting upwardly from, and perpendicular to, the first major surface, the side walls having top walls;
• wherein the first section is connected to the second section by a flexible hinge;
• and,
• wherein, when the foldable element is folded, a portion of the second section fits in the at least one aperture of the at least one first section, providing parallel flow channels;
• (b) the second support and drainage material comprising:
• at least one first section having a first end and a second end, a first side and a second side, a first major surface and a second major surface, and at least one first section aperture extending a length of at least about 75% a distance between the first end and the second end, and extending a length of about 2% to about 100% a distance between the first side and the second side;
• and,
• at least one second section having a first end and a second end, a first side and a second side, a first major surface and a second major surface, and a plurality of parallel flow channels extending from the first end to the second end, the flow channels comprising side walls arranged in parallel and projecting upwardly from, and perpendicular to, the first major surface, the side walls having top walls;
• wherein the first section is connected to the second section by a flexible hinge;
• and,
• wherein, when the foldable element is folded, a portion of the second section fits in the at least one aperture of the at least one first section, providing parallel flow channels;
• wherein the first support and drainage material and the second support and drainage material are suitable for arrangement on opposing sides of a pleated filter having pleat roots and pleat tips.