PAINEL DE FILTRO, APARELHO DE FILTRAGEM E MÉTODO DE FORNECIMENTO DE PAINEL DE FILTRO

Abstract

A filter panel (12) comprising a filtering element (30) including a primary filter end (38a), a secondary filter end (38b) and a filtering section (40) between the primary filter end (38a) and the secondary filter end (38b); and a support structure (28) including a primary end support section (32a), a secondary end support section (32b), and a central support section (34) between the primary end support section (32a) and the secondary end support section (32b) supporting the filtering section (40); wherein each of the primary end support section (32a) and the secondary end support section (32b) comprises a sheet material (44) folded to clamp the primary filter end (38a) and the secondary filter end (38b), respectively. A filtration apparatus (10) comprising a filter panel (12), and a method of providing a filter panel (12), are also provided.

Description

[001] This disclosure relates generally to filter panels. In particular, a filter panel comprising a folded sheet material for securing the ends of a filter element, a filtering apparatus comprising a filter panel, and a method for providing a filter panel are provided. Background of the Invention

[002] There is a wide range of filtration devices for filtering liquid, for example for filtering wastewater. Some filtration devices comprise one or more filter elements that move during filtration. A filtration device may be, for example, a drum-type filter in which one or more filter elements are provided in the circumference of a rotating drum. For this purpose, a plurality of filter panels may be mounted on the drum, where each filter panel carries a filter element. There are also applications in which one or more filter panels are permanently positioned in one location.

[003] WO 2016207143 A1 discloses a filter panel for a drum-type filter. The filter panel is manufactured by molding and consists of a plastic material. The filter fabric can be glued or welded onto the filter panel. SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[004] Filter panels of previous technology are relatively expensive and complicated to manufacture. For example, if a filter element is fixed to the filter panel support structure only by gluing, there is a risk of separation between the filter element and the support structure during the Petition 870250089777, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page 6 / 23 / 18 filtration. Removing a filter panel from the filtration apparatus when the filter element comes loose complicates the replacement of the filter panel. Additional gluing needs to be performed precisely in order to avoid separation between the filter element and the support structure. Such gluing is quite time-consuming and prone to errors. Many filter panels of previous technology are also oversized, making them unnecessary, complicated and costly. An important criterion in the design of the filter panel is stability and resistance to deformation, so that large-area filter elements can be used.

[005] One objective of the invention is to provide an improved filter panel.

[006] An additional objective of the invention is to provide a filtering apparatus.

[007] A further objective of the invention is to provide an improved method of supplying a filter panel.

[008] These objectives are achieved by the filter panel as defined in appendix claim 1, by the filtering apparatus as defined in appendix claim 11, and by the method as defined in appendix claim 13.

[009] The invention is based on the insight that, by providing a support structure comprising a sheet material that is bent to hold a filter element, the filter element can be reliably fixed to the support structure in a less complicated manner.

[0010] According to a first aspect, a filter panel is provided comprising a filter element including a primary filter end, a secondary filter end and a filtering section between the primary filter end and the secondary filter end; and a support structure including an end support section. Petition 870250089777, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page 7 / 23 / 18 primary, a secondary end support section, and a central support section between the primary end support section and the secondary end support section that supports the filtering section; wherein each of the primary end support section and the secondary end support section comprises folded sheet material to secure the primary filter end and the secondary filter end, respectively.

[0011] The filter element can be fixed to the support structure simply by fastening it due to the folding of the sheet material. Thus, no dedicated locking element may need to be provided to secure the filter element to the support structure. The filter panel provides fast, economical and less complicated production. The filter panel can also be made from fewer parts.

[0012] The filter element may be substantially rectangular, or rectangular. In this case, a first short side and a second short end opposite it may constitute the primary filter end and the secondary filter end, respectively. Each of the primary and secondary filter ends may have substantially equal areas, or equal. Alternatively, or furthermore, the filter section may be substantially larger than each of the primary and secondary filter ends, such as at least 100% larger. The filter element may be supplied in a single piece. By fixing the primary and secondary filter ends, the filter panel enables the provision of a relatively large filter area, i.e., relative to the size of the filter panel.

[0013] The primary end support section, the secondary end support section, and the center support section can be formed from a single piece of sheet material. Providing the center support section as a single piece of sheet material facilitates manufacturing. Petition 870250089777, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page 8 / 23 / 18 and the recycling of the filter panel.

[0014] As a possible alternative, only the primary and secondary end support sections are made of sheet material. In this case, the support structure may, for example, comprise a plurality of circular rods connected at the primary and secondary end support sections.

[0015] The sheet material may be a metal sheet material. The sheet material may be, for example, made of stainless steel. Alternatively, or in addition, the sheet material may have a thickness of at least 0.1 mm and / or less than 3 mm, such as 0.7 mm.

[0016] Each of the primary end support section and the secondary end support section may comprise a first bend section bent relative to the central support section and a second bend section bent relative to the first bend section. In this case, the first bend section may be positioned between the central support section and the second bend section, for example, along the support structure. For example, in the case where the primary end support section, the secondary end support section, and the central support section are formed from a single piece of sheet material, the first bend section may be positioned between the central support section and the second bend section along the sheet material.

[0017] For each of the primary and secondary end support sections, the second bend section may be bent at least 160° and / or less than 200°, such as 180°, relative to the first bend section. Both the first and second bend sections may be bent at least 70° and / or less than 110°, such as 90°, relative to the central support section.

[0018] Each of the primary filter end and the end Petition 870250089777, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page 9 / 23 / 18 of the secondary filter can be fixed between a respective first bend section and second bend section.

[0019] Each of the primary end support section and the secondary end support section may comprise a through hole that passes through the first bend section and the second bend section. Thus, when the second bend section is bent relative to the first bend section, the through holes overlap each other to receive a fastener.

[0020] The primary filter end may comprise a third bend section bent relative to the second bend section. In this case, the second bend section may be positioned between the first bend section and the third bend section, for example, along the support structure. For each of the primary end support section and the secondary end support section, the third bend section may be bent at least 70° and / or less than 110°, such as 90°, relative to the second bend section.

[0021] Each of the primary filter end and the secondary filter end can be fixed between a respective third bend section and the central support section. By bending the support structure twice at each of the primary and secondary end support sections, the filter element can be fixed twice and the through holes are raised and aligned for mounting.

[0022] The support structure may comprise a side-fold section of sheet material folded relative to the central support section to secure the filter element. The support structure may comprise two such side-fold sections on opposite sides of the central support section. Each side-fold section may be folded at least 70° and / or less than 110°, such as 90°, relative to the central support section. Petition 870250089777, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page 10 / 23 / 18

[0023] The central support section may be curved. If the central support section is curved after securing the primary and secondary filter ends by bending the sheet material, the filter element will be stretched by the curvature.

[0024] The filter element may consist of a wire mesh. Alternatively, or in addition, the filter element may consist of any filter medium. Alternatively, or in addition, the filter element may consist of one or more layers.

[0025] According to a second aspect, a filtering apparatus is provided comprising a filter panel according to the first aspect. The filtering apparatus may comprise a drum. In this case, the filtering apparatus may be referred to as a drum-type filter. The filter panel may be fixed to the drum.

[0026] The filtering apparatus may comprise a plurality of filter panels. Each filter panel may be of the same size and shape. This facilitates replacement since only one type of filter panel needs to be kept in stock. For a drum circumference, the filtering apparatus may, for example, comprise four or five filter panels confining the drum. The plurality of filter panels provided in a common circumference may be referred to as a group. The filtering apparatus may comprise one or several such groups, for example, axially distributed along the drum.

[0027] When each of the primary end support section and the secondary end support section of the filter panel comprises a through hole that passes through the first bend section and the second bend section, the filter panel can be fixed to the drum by a fastener that passes through each through hole.

[0028] According to a third aspect, a method is provided of Petition 870250089777, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page 11 / 23 / 18 supply of a filter panel, the method comprising supplying a filter element including a primary filter end, a secondary filter end and a filter section between the primary filter end and the secondary filter end; supplying a support structure including a primary end support section comprising a sheet material, a secondary end support section comprising a sheet material, and a central support section between the primary end support section and the secondary end support section;Position the filter element in the support structure in such a way that the primary filter end is supported by the primary end support section, the secondary filter end is supported by the secondary end support section, and the filter section is supported by the central support section; and bend the sheet material of the primary end support section and the secondary end support section to secure the primary filter end and the secondary filter end, respectively.

[0029] The filter panel of the method according to the third aspect can be of any type described in connection with the first aspect, and vice versa.

[0030] The support structure may comprise a side-fold section of sheet material. In this case, the method may further comprise folding the side-fold section relative to the central support section to secure the filter element.

[0031] The method may further comprise bending the filter element and the support structure to bend the central support section. The bending may comprise winding the filter element and the support structure, for example, in a winding machine.

[0032] Folding can be performed after folding the material into Petition 870250089777, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page 12 / 23 / 18 sheet of the primary end support section and the secondary end support section. Since the respective filter ends of the filter element are fixed by the sheet material by folding before folding, the subsequent folding provides two functions, namely, both the curvature of the support structure to a desired shape and the stretching of the filter element.

[0033] The method may further comprise folding the sheet material of the primary end support section and the secondary end support section again after folding, for example, by simultaneously folding the first bend section and the second bend section at least 70° and / or less than 110°, such as 90°, relative to the central support section and, optionally, relative to the third bend section if the third bend section is provided.

[0034] The primary end support section, the secondary end support section, and the center support section can be formed from a single piece of sheet material.

[0035] The sheet material may be a metal sheet material.

[0036] Each of the primary end support sections and the secondary end support sections may comprise a first bend section bent relative to the central support section and a second bend section bent relative to the first bend section. The first bend section may be positioned between the central support section and the second bend section. Each of the primary filter ends and the secondary filter ends may be fixed between a respective first bend section and second bend section. Each of the primary end support sections and the secondary end support sections may comprise a through hole passing through the first bend section and the second bend section. The method may further comprise fixing the filter panel in Petition 870250089777, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page 13 / 23 / 18 a drum of a filtering apparatus by a fastener that passes through each through hole. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0037] Details, advantages and additional aspects of this disclosure will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which: Figure 1 schematically represents a perspective view of a filtration apparatus comprising a plurality of filter panels; Figure 2 schematically represents a perspective view of one of the filter panels; Figure 3 schematically represents a top view of a filter element; Figure 4a schematically represents a top view of a sheet material to form the support structure; Figure 4b schematically represents a side view of the sheet material in Figure 4a; Figure 5a schematically represents a top view of the sheet material and the filter element within it; Figure 5b schematically represents a side view of the sheet material and the filter element in Figure 5a; Figure 6a schematically represents a top view of the filter panel when the sheet material has been folded to hold the filter element; Figure 6b schematically represents a side view of the filter panel in Figure 6a; Figure 7a schematically represents a top view of the filter panel when a central support section of the support structure has been Petition 870250089777, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page 14 / 23 / 18 curved; Figure 7b schematically represents a side view of the filter panel in Figure 7a; Figure 8a schematically represents a top view of the filter panel when the sheet material has been folded again; Figure 8b schematically represents a side view of the filter panel in Figure 8a; Figure 9 schematically represents a partial perspective view of the filtration apparatus; Figure 10 schematically represents a partial side view of the filtration apparatus; and Figure 11 is a flowchart outlining the general steps of a method. Description of Preferred Embodiment Forms

[0038] A filter panel, a filtering apparatus comprising a filter panel, and a method of providing a filter panel will be described below. The same or similar reference numbers will be used to denote the same or similar structural features.

[0039] Figure 1 schematically represents a perspective view of one of many examples of a filtering apparatus 10. The filtering apparatus 10 comprises a plurality of filter panels 12. In this example, all filter panels 12 are of the same size and shape. The filtering apparatus 10 further comprises a drum 14. The filtering apparatus 10 in this example is thus a drum-type filter. The filter panels 12 are fixed to the drum 14.

[0040] The filtering apparatus 10 of this specific and non-limiting example further comprises an inlet 16 that supplies liquid 18 to be filtered into the drum 14, a tank 20 below the drum 14 and an outlet 22 Petition 870250089777, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, p. 15 / 23 / 18 downstream of tank 20. Liquid 18 is exemplified here as wastewater. Liquid 18 is conveyed into drum 14 and leaves drum 14 by passing through filter panels 12. During this passage, liquid 18 is filtered.

[0041] Drum 14 rotates during filtration, as shown by arrow 24. For this purpose, the filtering apparatus 10 of this example comprises a motor 26 to drive the rotation of drum 14, either directly or indirectly, by means of a transmission (not shown). Filter panels 12 that are temporarily positioned in inactive positions (for example, in a vertically upper part of drum 14) can be subjected to various treatments, such as removal of the filter cake collected therein.

[0042] Figure 2 schematically represents a perspective view of one of the filter panels 12. The filter panel 12 comprises a support structure 28 and a filter element 30. The filter element 30 is held by the support structure 28. The support structure 28 comprises a primary end support section 32a, a secondary end support section 32b, and a central support section 34 between the primary and secondary end support sections 32a and 32b. As shown, the central support section 34 is curved in an arc shape that conforms to the shape of the targeted drum 14. The central support section 34 supports the filter element 30. Each of the primary and secondary end support sections 32a and 32b comprises a folded sheet material to hold the filter element 30, as described herein.Furthermore, each of the primary and secondary end support sections 32a and 32b comprises through holes 36 for attaching the filter panel 12 to the drum 14.

[0043] Figure 3 schematically represents a top view of filter element 30 according to an example. Filter element 30 is exemplified here as a flexible filter fabric. Filter element 30 Petition 870250089777, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page 16 / 23 / 18 comprises a primary filter end 38a, a secondary filter end 38b and a filter section 40 between the primary and secondary filter ends 38a and 38b. The filter element 30 further comprises a primary filter side 42a and a secondary filter side 42b on opposite sides of the filter section 40.

[0044] The filter element 30 in this example is rectangular. In this way, the primary and secondary filter ends 38a and 38b are provided by the respective short sides of the filter element 30 and the primary and secondary filter sides 42a and 42b are provided by the respective long sides of the filter element 30. The filter element 30 may, for example, have a length of at least 700 mm and / or less than 1,800 mm, such as about 1,200 mm, and a width of at least 200 mm and / or less than 600 mm, such as about 400 mm.

[0045] The filter element 30 may comprise a wire mesh, such as a metal wire mesh or metal alloy mesh, with a three-dimensional pore geometry. The wire mesh may comprise warp yarns and weft yarns crossing each other and interlaced by a weaving pattern. The warp yarns may be formed in at least two different configurations to define first- and second-type warp yarns. A length of the first-type warp yarn may deviate from a length of the second-type warp yarn with respect to a particular unit length. Pores may be formed in interstices between sections of two adjacent warp yarns and crossing sections of two adjacent weft yarns.

[0046] All types of weaving patterns and combinations of materials and wire spacing are possible for the filter element 30. In special designs, the metal wire screen contains wires that are not made of metal, but of other materials. Petition 870250089777, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page 17 / 23 / 18

[0047] The filter element 30 can consist of all filter media. The filter media can be made of any material. The filter element 30 can be designed as a single layer or multiple layers. The layers can be formed from different filter media or from the same filter media.

[0048] Preferably, the filter element 30 is made of metallic materials, so that the element is suitable for recycling.

[0049] Figure 4a schematically represents a top view of a sheet material 44 to form the support structure 28, and Figure 4b schematically represents a side view of the sheet material 44 in Figure 4a. With collective reference to Figures 4a and 4b, the sheet material 44 has been machined, for example, by laser cutting or machining, to provide the illustrated shape.

[0050] In figures 4a and 4b, sheet material 44 is in a completely flat configuration, without any folded parts. Sheet material 44 is a single piece of material. Sheet material 44 can, for example, have a thickness of 0.7 mm. Sheet material 44 can, for example, be made of metal, such as stainless steel, such as stainless steel types 1.4401 or 1.4404 (also known as grades 316 and 316L, respectively).

[0051] In this example, each of the primary and secondary end support sections 32a and 32b comprises a first bend section 46, a second bend section 48, and an optional third bend section 50, in that order, respectively, away from the central support section 34. Furthermore, the sheet material 44 provides two side bend sections 52 on opposite sides of the central support section 34.

[0052] The central support section 34 comprises a plurality of openings 54, here, three openings 54. Longitudinal bars 56 extending between the primary and secondary end support sections 32a and 32b are Petition 870250089777, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page 18 / 23 / 18 defined between openings 54 in central support section 34.

[0053] Figure 4a shows that one or more through holes 36 (here two) are provided in each of the first bend section 46 and the second bend section 48 of each of the primary and secondary end support sections 32a and 32b.

[0054] Figure 5a schematically represents a top view of sheet material 44 and filter element 30 in the same, and Figure 5b schematically represents a side view of sheet material 44 and filter element 30 in Figure 5a. With collective reference to Figures 5a and 5b, filter element 30 has been arranged in sheet material 44. The filter section 40 is supported by the central support section 34, the first filter end 38a is supported by the first bend section 46 of the primary end support section 32a, and the second filter end 38b is supported by the first bend section 46 of the secondary end support section 32b.

[0055] In a lateral direction (vertical direction in figure 5a) of the sheet material 44, a width of the filter element 30 corresponds substantially (e.g., by 10%) to a width of the central support section 34. Each lateral bend section 52 projects laterally outward from the filter element 30.

[0056] In a longitudinal direction (horizontal direction in Figure 5a) of the sheet material 44, a length of the filter element 30 is greater (e.g., at least 3% greater) than a length of the central support section 34. Thus, the filter element 30 projects longitudinally outward from the central support section 34 and is supported by the primary and secondary end support sections 32a and 32b, here, by the respective first bend sections 46. As shown in Figure 5a, the length of the filter element 30 is not long enough to obstruct the through holes. Petition 870250089777, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page 19 / 23 / 18 in the first sections of fold 46.

[0057] Optionally, a protective layer (not shown) may be provided on the sheet material 44, such as on the central support section 34, including the longitudinal bars 56 and on a part of the primary and secondary end support sections 32a and 32b, to protect the filter element 30 from coming into direct contact with the sheet material 44. Such a protective layer may, moreover, have adhesive properties.

[0058] Figure 6a schematically represents a top view of filter panel 12 when sheet material 44 has been folded to secure filter element 30, and Figure 6b schematically represents a side view of filter panel 12 in Figure 6a. With collective reference to Figures 6a and 6b, each second fold section 48 is folded 180° inward relative to the adjacent first fold section 46. The sheet material 44 is thus folded around filter element 30. During this folding of each second fold section 48, each third fold section 50 is not folded relative to the adjacent second fold section 48.

[0059] Due to the bending, the filter element 30 becomes compressed. That is, the primary filter end 38a is fixed between the first and second bend sections 46 and 48 of the primary end support section 32a, and the secondary filter end 38b is fixed between the first and second bend sections 46 and 48 of the secondary end support section 32b. Furthermore, for each of the primary and secondary end support sections 32a and 32b, the filter element 30 is fixed between the third bend section 50 and the central support section 34.

[0060] Before, after, or simultaneously with the bending of the primary and secondary end support sections 32a and 32b, the two side bend sections 52 are bent 180° inward relative to the central support section 34 to also secure the sides of the primary and secondary filter. Petition 870250089777, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page 20 / 23 / 18 42a and 42b of filter element 30.

[0061] Figure 7a schematically represents a top view of filter panel 12 when the central support section 34 has been bent, and Figure 7b schematically represents a side view of filter panel 12 in Figure 7a. Starting from the state in Figures 6a and 6b, the entire filter panel 12 is bent to form the desired curvature. For this purpose, the entire filter panel 12 can be, for example, passed through a winding machine.

[0062] Since the filter element 30 is fixed, the filter element 30 is prevented from sliding out of the primary and secondary end support sections 32a and 32b during bending. Furthermore, since the central support section 34 becomes radially positioned inside the filter element 30 relative to the target curvature, and since the filter element 30 is fixed, the filter element 30 is tensioned in the longitudinal direction of the filter panel 12 during bending.

[0063] Figure 8a schematically represents a top view of filter panel 12 when sheet material 44 has been additionally folded, and Figure 8b schematically represents a side view of filter panel 12 in Figure 8a. With collective reference to Figures 8a and 8b, for each of the primary and secondary end support sections 32a and 32b, the first and second bend sections 46 and 48, with the filter element 30 held between the tables, are collectively bent 90° inwards relative to the central support section 34 and the third bend section 50. This further tightens the compression between the third bend section 50 and the filter element 30. At the same time, the through holes 36 are raised and thus become ready for mounting the filter panel 12. As can be concluded from Figure 8b, the bend between the second bend section 48 and the third bend section 50 is more delicate on the filter element 30 than if the material in Petition 870250089777, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page 21 / 23 / 18 sheet 44 ended with a sharp edge on the second fold section 48.

[0064] Figure 9 schematically represents a partial perspective view of the filtering apparatus 10 with the filter panel 12 mounted thereon, and Figure 10 schematically represents a partial side view of the filtering apparatus 10. In Figure 10, it can be seen that the filter panel 12 is fixed to the drum 14 by a fastener 58 that passes through each through hole 36. In this example, the fastener 58 comprises a screw 60 and a nut 62. The screw 60 is fixed in relation to the drum 14. Tightening the nut 62 provides two functions in combination, namely, to secure the filter panel 12 to the drum 14 and to force the first and second bend sections 46 and 48 together to increase the fixation of the filter element 30 held therein.

[0065] Figure 11 is a flowchart outlining general steps of a method. The method comprises providing S10 the filter element 30 including the primary filter end 38a, the secondary filter end 38b and the filter section 40 between the primary filter end 38a and the secondary filter end 38b. The method further comprises providing S12 the support structure 28 including the primary end support section 32a comprising a sheet material 44, the secondary end support section 32b comprising a sheet material 44, and the central support section 34 between the primary end support section 32a and the secondary end support section 32b.The method further comprises positioning the filter element 30 in the support structure 28 in such a way that the primary filter end 38a is supported by the primary end support section 32a, the secondary filter end 38b is supported by the secondary end support section 32b, and the filter section 40 is supported by the central support section 34; and the fold S16 of the sheet material 44 of the support section. Petition 870250089777, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page 22 / 23 / 18 primary end 32a and secondary end support section 32b to attach primary filter end 38a and secondary filter end 38b, respectively.

[0066] The method in this example additionally involves doubling S18 the side bend section 52 in relation to the central support section 34 to secure the filter element 30.

[0067] The method in this example additionally involves doubling S20 the filter element 30 and the support structure 28 to bend the central support section 34. The bending S20 can be performed after bending S16 of the sheet material 44 of the primary end support section 32a and the secondary end support section 32b.

[0068] The method in this example additionally involves doubling S22 the sheet material 44 of the primary end support section 32a and the secondary end support section 32b again after folding S20.

[0069] The method of this example further comprises fixing S24 the filter panel 12 to the drum 14 of the filtering apparatus 10 by means of a fastener 58 that passes through each through hole 36.

[0070] Although the present disclosure has been described in relation to exemplary embodiments, it will be perceived that the present invention is not limited to what has been described above. For example, it will be perceived that the dimensions of the parts can be varied as required. In this way, it is intended that the present invention can be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. Filter panel (12), characterized in that it comprises: - a filter element (30) including a primary filter end (38a), a secondary filter end (38b) and a filter section (40) between the primary filter end (38a) and the secondary filter end (38b); and - a support structure (28) including a primary end support section (32a), a secondary end support section (32b) and a central support section (34) between the primary end support section (32a) and the secondary end support section (32b) supporting the filter section (40); wherein each of the primary end support section (32a) and the secondary end support section (32b) comprises a sheet material (44) folded to hold the primary filter end (38a) and the secondary filter end (38b), respectively.

2. Filter panel, according to claim 1, characterized in that the primary end support section (32a), the secondary end support section (32b) and the central support section (34) are formed from a single piece of sheet material (44).

3. Filter panel, according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the primary end support section (32a) and the secondary end support section (32b) comprises a first bend section (46), bent relative to the central support section (34), and a second bend section (48), bent relative to the first bend section (46), wherein the first bend section (46) is positioned between the central support section (34) and the second bend section (48).

4. Filter panel, according to claim 3, characterized in that each of the primary filter end (38a) Petition 870250083495, dated 09 / 17 / 2025, page 40 / 42 2 / 3 and the secondary filter end (38b) is fixed between a respective first bend section (46) and second bend section (48).

5. Filter panel, according to claim 3, characterized in that each of the primary end support section (32a) and the secondary end support section (32b) comprises a through hole (36) that passes through the first bend section (46) and the second bend section (48).

6. Filter panel, according to claim 3, characterized in that the primary filter end (38a) comprises a third bend section (50), bent relative to the second bend section (48), and wherein the second bend section (48) is positioned between the first bend section (46) and the third bend section (50).

7. Filter panel, according to claim 6, characterized in that each of the primary filter end (38a) and the secondary filter end (38b) is fixed between a respective third bend section (50) and the central support section (34).

8. Filtering apparatus (10), characterized in that it comprises a filter panel (12) as defined in any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. Filtering apparatus, according to claim 8, characterized in that, when comprising a filter panel (12) as defined in claim 6, the filtering apparatus (10) comprises a drum (14) and wherein the filter panel (12) is fixed to the drum (14) by a fastener (58) passing through each through hole (36).

10. Method for providing a filter panel (12), characterized in that it comprises: - providing (S10) a filter element (30) including a primary filter end (38a), a secondary filter end (38b) and a filter section (40) between the primary filter end (38a) Petition 870250083495, dated 17 / 09 / 2025, page 41 / 42 3 / 3 and the secondary filter end (38b); - providing (S12) a support structure (28) including a primary end support section (32a) comprising a sheet material (44), a secondary end support section (32b) comprising a sheet material (44) and a central support section (34) between the primary end support section (32a) and the secondary end support section (32b);- Position (S14) the filter element (30) in the support structure (28) so that the primary filter end (38a) is supported by the primary end support section (32a), the secondary filter end (38b) is supported by the secondary end support section (32b) and the filter section (40) is supported by the central support section (34); and - Bend (S16) the sheet material (44) of the primary end support section (32a) and the secondary end support section (32b) to secure the primary filter end (38a) and the secondary filter end (38b), respectively.

Images