Filter media cartridge

1. A filter media cartridge for filtering air comprising:

a filter media material for filtering air having a plurality of folds and formed into a tube with opposite ends;

an internal support core supporting said media material, said internal support core is a tube of expanded metal, said internal support core includes support ribs, said ribs extend in a spiral pattern along the length of the support core, said support ribs being defined by portions of said expanded metal being free from cuts;

a plurality of separate retention bands longitudinally mounted in spaced relationship to one another about the filter media to retain the filter media in position and prevent said media from expanding outwardly sufficiently to damage the filter media said retention bands exposing a majority of the surface area of said filter media;

at least a first glue bead located circumferentially about said filter media, said glue bead adhering adjacent folds of said media, providing support and regular spacing of said folds;

whereby said folds are prevented from collapsing with respect to one another.

2. The filter media cartridge of claim 1 , further including at least a second glue bead located circumferentially about said filter media, said first and second glue beads being spaced longitudinally apart along the length of said filter media cartridge.

3. The filter media cartridge of claim 1 , further including a plurality of glue beads located circumferentially about said filter media, said plurality of glue beads being spaced longitudinally apart along the length of said filter media cartridge.

4. The filter media cartridge of claim 1 , further including end caps positioned at the opposite ends of said filter media.