Direct replacement filter with automatic pleated filter media advance

A direct replacement filter within a flow channel comprising:

• a housing with an at least one exposure slot;
• an at least one filter media storage area within the housing, having unexposed folded, pleated filter media stored therein, the unexposed folded, pleated filter media being pleated, folded, and stacked to be compactly held within the at least one filter media storage area;
• an at least one motor coupled to a power supply and in communication with a controller, the at least one motor moving an at least one threaded rod screw drive coupled to an at least one support member;
• and
• a containment area, wherein upon sending a signal from the controller the at least one motor is engaged and the at least one threaded rod screw drive is driven such that the at least one threaded rod screw drive is moved in turn moving the at least one support member which engages the unexposed folded pleated filter material in the at least one filter media storage area, moving the unexposed folded pleated filter media from being stored into being unfolded and exposed in the at least exposure slot and moving an exposed portion of the filter media through the at least one exposure slot toward the containment area such that the at least one exposed portion of the filter media is moved to and then collected and retained within the containment area.