A method of reinforcing a filter media pack as well as a reinforced media pack is provided. The method includes forming a media pack to have an inlet face and an outlet face. The method includes applying a reinforcing agent to the media pack. The reinforcing agent is applied in a flowable state. The method also includes hardening the reinforcing agent to form a reinforcing structure to reinforce the media pack. Filter element having such a reinforcing structure is also provided.

A pleated air filter media with a plurality of continuous-contact reinforcing filaments on at least one face of the pleated air filter. The filaments have locally-thinned bending zones each of which is registered with pleat tip or pleat valley of the pleated air filter media.

A pleated air filter media is provided. The pleated air filter media comprises a plurality of upstream linear bridging filaments that are extrusion-bonded to at least some of a plurality of upstream pleat tips of a fibrous web, and a plurality of downstream continuous-contact filaments that are extrusion-bonded to a downstream face of the fibrous web. Methods of making and using the same are also provided.

Support and drainage materials, filter including the materials, and methods of use are disclosed.

Support and drainage materials, each comprising an element comprising a section having a first end and a second end, and a first major surface, and a plurality of parallel tapered flow channels extending from the first end to the second end, the tapered flow channels comprising tapered side walls arranged in parallel and projecting upwardly from, and perpendicular to, the first major surface, the tapered flow channels having a deeper end and a shallower end, and being deeper at the first end of the section than at the second end of the section, wherein the tapered flow channels are connected at the first end with a cross member, and connected at the second end with a cross member, filters including the materials, and methods of use are disclosed.

Support and drainage materials, filter including the materials, and methods of use are disclosed.

Support and drainage materials, filter including the materials, and methods of use are disclosed.

A method includes providing a computer-readable three-dimensional model of a filter medium including a plurality of segments, each segment of the three-dimensional model being configured to be converted into a plurality of slices that each define a cross-sectional layer of the filter medium, the filter medium including a first end defining a first cavity that extends from the first end along a predetermined direction that defines an undercut along the first predetermined direction; and successively forming each layer of the filter medium by additive manufacturing.

Support and drainage materials, filter including the materials, and methods of use are disclosed.

A method of reinforcing a filter media pack as well as a reinforced media pack is provided. The method includes forming a media pack to have an inlet face and an outlet face. The method includes applying a reinforcing agent to the media pack. The reinforcing agent is applied in a flowable state. The method also includes hardening the reinforcing agent to form a reinforcing structure to reinforce the media pack. Filter element having such a reinforcing structure is also provided.