Radial seal filter with open end pleats

A method of forming a filter, comprising:

• forming a filter element with a pleated filter media having a plurality of pleats into a closed loop to define an inner chamber, the filter element having an outer perimeter defined by a plurality of outer pleat tips and an inner perimeter defined by a plurality of inner pleat tips;
• molding a compressible urethane cap on a first end of the filter element to completely cover an opening of the inner chamber, the opening being defined by the inner perimeter and the compressible urethane cap including an outer edge located between the inner perimeter and the outer perimeter of the filter element, where a first plurality of open end pleats are located between the outer edge of the cap and the outer perimeter of the filter element, the first plurality of open end pleats defining a first fluid path through the filter media into the inner chamber;
• molding a compressible urethane ring on a second end of the filter element to form an inlet opening for providing fluid communication with the inner chamber, the compressible urethane ring having an outer edge located between the inner perimeter and the outer perimeter of the filter element to form a second plurality of open end pleats, the second plurality of open end pleats being located between the outer perimeter of the filter element and the compressible urethane ring, wherein the second plurality of open end pleats define a second fluid path through the filter media into the inner chamber;
• providing at least one protrusion integrally formed with and extending away from a surface of the cap for aligning the filter in a housing;
• and
• inserting the at least one protrusion into a complimentary opening in the housing to assist in the alignment of the filter in the housing.