Embedded pleat face stabilizing structure for deep pleated embossed heavy duty panel air media packs and/or end cap catch feature

Abstract

A filter element is provided with a reinforcing structure that is embedded in a flow face of a filter media pack that may be provided by pleated filter media defining pleat tips. Another reinforcing structure can also be embedded into the other flow face such that both inlet and outlet faces are even further stabilized. The reinforcing structure can include a thermoplastic material and provided as a preform that is at least partially melted to form an embedding melt pool to allow the reinforcing structure to be embedded into one of the flow faces of the filter media pack, such that the reinforcing structure can embedded into and mechanically entraps pleat tips.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.