Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing closed loop accordion pleated filters. Accordion pleated filter structures are advanced from a feeder hopper one at a time by pusher members and guided along guide means arranged in a converging fashion and which pass between the endmost pleats to bring the ends of the pleated filter toward one another. Second pusher means then move the pleated filter, which is now arranged in a substantially U-shaped configuration, along the guide members to orient the outermost pleats into a substantially common horizontal plane. Third pusher means move the outermost flaps upon a pair of blades and substantially surrounding one arm of a paddle wheel assembly. A suitable hot melt is deposited upon the surfaces of one of the outermost flaps. The blades swing downwardly and move toward one another to press the outermost flaps having a hot melt deposited thereon into firm engagement.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for repetitive insertion of filter cores into filters in an automatic manner wherein filter elements of closed loop accordion-pleated configuration are fed to the apparatus and accelerated substantially downwardly upon an upright "wand" having a configuration which cooperates with a "squeezer" mechanism to stretch the upper end of a filter element somewhat to enlarge its central opening. A core is dispensed from a hopper to a swingable reciprocating core catcher which positions a core above a filter element previously positioned on the wand. A plunger is timed to move abruptly downwardly thereby forcing the core completely into the enlarged central opening in the filter element, whereupon the wand is abruptly swung generally downwardly to a take-off position to eject the completed assembly into a suitable collection hopper. The above mentioned operations are continuously repeated at a substantially rapid rate.