Filter assembly using adhesive center tube
A cylindrical shaped pleated media includes adhesive beads arranged on a periphery to bridge pleats and provide structural support for the pleated media. The pleated media is used in a fluid filter.
1. A method of manufacturing a filter element comprising the steps of:
a) providing a filter media;
b) applying adhesive to a portion of the filter media between opposing end portions, the adhesive not flowing into pleats of the filter media;
c) arranging the opposing end portions of the filter media in opposing relationship near one another; and
d) fully curing the adhesive subsequent to performing step c) to provide a rigid support structure for the filter media.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein step a) includes pleating a material.
3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein step b) includes dispensing the adhesive onto the filter media.
4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the adhesive is a hot melt glue.
5. The method according to claim 4 , wherein step d) includes the hot melt glue cooling.
6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein step c) includes gluing the opposing end portions to one another.
7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein step c) includes clipping the opposing end portions to one another.
8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the adhesive is partially cured prior to performing step c).
9. The method according to claim 1 , wherein step c) includes providing a ring-like arrangement with the adhesive.
10. A filter media comprising:
a pleated filter element providing ridges arranged in an arcuate relationship to one another; and
adhesive bridging the ridges without flowing between the ridges to provide structural support to the ridges for maintaining the arcuate relationship.
11. The filter media according to claim 10 , wherein the pleated filter element is arranged to provide a generally cylindrical-shaped filter element, the adhesive arranged in a ring-like shape on the ridges.
12. The filter media according to claim 11 , wherein the ridges include an inner periphery providing an outlet side of the pleated filter element.
13. The filter media according to claim 11 , wherein the pleated filter element includes opposing end portions arranged in opposing relationship near one another, the adhesive being disposed therebetween.
14. A filter assembly comprising:
a housing providing an inlet and an outlet;
a filter element arranged within the housing and separating the inlet from the outlet, the filter element arranged in an arcuate shape; and
adhesive arranged on a side of the filter element without flowing between ridges of the filter element to provide structural support to maintain the arcuate shape.
15. The filter assembly according to claim 14 , wherein the filter element is arranged in a generally cylindrical shape.
16. The filter assembly according to claim 15 , wherein the filter element includes an inner periphery providing the side of the filter element.
17. The filter assembly according to claim 16 , wherein the side is an outlet side.
18. The filter assembly according to claim 15 , wherein the filter element includes a pleated filter media having ridges, the adhesive arranged on the ridges.
19. The filter assembly according to claim 18 , wherein the adhesive is a hot melt glue arranged in a ring-like shape on the ridges.