Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, a filter assembly for removing particulate matter from a fluid stream is disclosed. The filter assembly includes a filter medium having a number of longitudinally extending spaced pleats. Opposing faces of adjacent pleats form a valley therebetween and include a pair of peak portions and a valley portion. The filter assembly further includes a plastic support net being pleated for supporting the filter medium in a pleated shape. The plastic support net includes spaced strands extending in a first direction and spaced strands extending in a second direction that is generally transverse the first direction. The strands extending in the first direction continuously extend over the valley and peak portions of opposing faces of adjacent filter medium pleats and are aligned in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the filter medium pleats.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, the present invention provides a biaxially oriented extruded netting. The netting comprises a plurality of interconnected strands with at least some of the strands comprise a HDPE composition comprising a plurality of interconnected strands, with at least some of the strands comprising a composition comprising HDPE. In at least certain embodiments, the net has a strength-to-weight ratio of at least 2.0 lbf/(in.×PMSF). In at least one embodiment, at least 50% of the strands are made of the HDPE composition. The present invention also relates to a method for making biaxially oriented extruded HDPE netting. The method comprises extruding strands of polymer material to form a netting wherein at least some of the strands are formed of the HDPE and biaxially orienting the netting.

Abstract: The present invention provides a biodegradable extruded netting. The netting comprises a plurality of interconnected strands with at least some of the strands comprising a biodegradable composition comprising polylactic acid polymer and biodegradable plasticizer. In at least one embodiment, at least 10% of the strands are made of the biodegradable composition. The present invention also relates to a method for making biodegradable extruded netting. The method comprises extruding strands of polymeric material to form a netting wherein at least some of the strands are formed of the biodegradable composition.