Filter for the filtration of a fluid flow

A filter for the filtration of a fluid flow, comprising:

• a filter element having longitudinal edges and comprising a filter material layer with a filter surface exposed to the fluid flow, wherein the filter material layer is pleated for enlarging the filter surface such that the filter element has a three-dimensional structure with plane folding portions and curved bending portions, said longitudinal edges of the filter element extending transversely to said folding portions and bending portions,
• two filter element support elements abutting the longitudinal edges of the filter element and comprising individual interconnected support members, at least one filter element support element formed of adjacent support members having adjacent mutually confronting limiting edges, said support elements supporting said three-dimensional structure of the filter element, the filter element has its longitudinal edges connected to the support members of the filter element support elements, and
• the at least one filter element support element is arranged to be flexible between its individual support members, wherein the thickness of the at least one support element in regions between the adjacent support members in such that the at least one filter element support element is deformable with an accompanying change of the distance between the adjacent mutually confronting limiting edges of the adjacent support members.