Support and drainage material, filter, and method of use

A filter system comprising:

• a pleated porous filter having a plurality of pleats, and having an upstream surface and a downstream surface, the upstream surface having a first upstream end and a second upstream end, and the downstream surface having a first downstream end and a second downstream end;
• and
• a support and drainage material system comprising
• a first support and drainage material allowing fluid flow through and a second separate support and drainage material allowing fluid flow through;
• (a) the first support and drainage material comprising a first foldable element allowing fluid flow through, the first foldable element comprising:
• at least one first section comprising a mesh or a non-woven fabric 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 first section bulk between the first major surface and the second major surface, the first section bulk having a thickness extending from the first end to a portion of the second end;
• wherein the at least one first section further comprises at least one first section aperture extending a length of about 25% to 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 comprising a mesh or a non-woven fabric 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 second section bulk between the first major surface and the second major surface, the second section bulk having a thickness extending from the first end to a portion of the second end;
• wherein the at least one second section further comprises at least one second section aperture extending a length of about 25% to 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 first foldable element is folded, a part of the first section bulk thickness fits in the at least one aperture of the at least one second section, and/or a part of the second section bulk thickness fits in the at least one aperture of the at least one first section;
• and,
• (b) the second support and drainage material comprising a second foldable element allowing fluid flow through, the second foldable element comprising:
• at least one third section comprising a mesh or a non-woven fabric 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 third section bulk between the first major surface and the second major surface, the third section bulk having a thickness extending from the first end to a portion of the second en& wherein the at least one third section further comprises at least one third section aperture extending a length of about 25% to 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 fourth section comprising a mesh or a non-woven fabric 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 fourth section bulk between the first major surface and the second major surface, the fourth section bulk having a thickness extending from the first end to a portion of the second end;
• wherein the at least one fourth section further comprises at least one fourth section aperture extending a length of about 25% to 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 second foldable element is folded, a part of the third section bulk thickness fits in the at least one aperture of the at least one fourth section, and a part of the fourth section bulk thickness fits in the at least one aperture of the at least one third section,
• wherein the pleated porous filter is arranged between the first support and drainage material and the second support and drainage material.