Pleated filter media having a continuous bead of adhesive between layers of filtering material

A filter media comprising:

• a pleated filter material for filtering particulates, said filter material comprising meltblown polymeric material, said filter media having a sufficient permeability such that when subjected to airflow at 1.5 feet per minute the pressure drop is less than or equal to about 0.6 inches of water, said filter media having sufficient filter efficiency such that when subjected to particles having a 0.3 micron diameter and moving at 10.5 feet per minute flow challenge the efficiency is at least 99.97%;
• said pleated filter material including at least two layers;
• said pleated filter material defining a plurality of pleats, each pleat including a pleat tip and two pleat faces interconnected by said pleat tip, each of said pleat tips defining a linear segment;
• a continuous adhesive bead layer between two of said layers of said filter material, said continuous adhesive bead layer being a continuous adhesive bead extending without interruption, said continuous adhesive bead defining a plurality of linear parallel bead segments, said plurality of said linear and parallel bead segments extending in a direction which intersects said linear segment of at least one of said pleat tips, said continuous adhesive bead defining a plurality of connecting bead segments, each of said connecting bead segments extending between two of said linear and parallel bead segments.