Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for providing a crimp seal pleated filter assembly having a two piece housing with a filter media disposed within the housing and having a plurality of alternating pleats. The apparatus includes a first and second jig for supporting the housing halves and an odd number of at least three or more movable pleat forming blades on one side of the apparatus. The odd number of blades are movable through one of the supporting jigs with blade edges opposing the other supporting jig. The odd number of blades includes an independently movable center blade and a first pair of outer blades with opposing surfaces of adjacent blades defining a first plurality of pleat forming spaces. An even number of pleat forming blades are positioned with blade edges opposing the first plurality of pleat forming spaces and are spaced apart from and in alignment with the opposing pleat forming blades.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for providing a crimp seal pleated filter assembly having a two piece housing with a filter media disposed within the housing and having a plurality of alternating pleats. The apparatus includes a first and second jig for supporting the housing halves and an odd number of at least three or more movable pleat forming blades on one side of the apparatus. The odd number of blades are movable through one of the supporting jigs with blade edges opposing the other supporting jig. The odd number of blades includes an independently movable center blade and a first pair of outer blades with opposing surfaces of adjacent blades defining a first plurality of pleat forming spaces. An even number of pleat forming blades are positioned with blade edges opposing the first plurality of pleat forming spaces and are spaced apart from and in alignment with the opposing pleat forming blades.