Such a filter element is known from Netherlands patent no. 1001941. In order to filter a medium (gas or liquid), this filter element is placed in a filter housing which is provided with an inlet and an outlet compartment, which are separated from each other by a flange extending from the wall of the filter housing and connecting to the peripheral ring of the filter element.

The medium for filtering is admitted under pressure on the inlet side into the filter above the first disc- shaped part and is guided through the disc-shaped parts and the bag of liquid-permeable material via the central openings in the disc-shaped parts and the spacers, wherein solid particles remain behind on these disc- shaped parts. With the known filter element a considerable increase in the filtering surface area is achieved relative to filter elements not assembled from disc-shaped parts.

It is perceived as a drawback of the known filter element that it is less suitable for application in installations in which high pressures occur, or in which large fluctuations in pressure occur. Fluctuations in

pressure occur particularly during starting or stopping admitting medium for filtering and cause rapid wear of the filter element, in particular of the first disc- shaped part coupled to the peripheral ring.

It is an object of the invention to provide a filter element which is durable and which can withstand . high pressures and large fluctuations in pressure.

This object is achieved, and other advantages gained, with a filter element wherein according to the invention the first disc-shaped part is coupled to the peripheral ring by means of a fold of a flexible material extending between the cylindrical filter body and the bag.

It has been found that in such a filter element the filter body can be highly compressed under the influence of pressure fluctuations, wherein the coupling of the filter body and the peripheral ring is not mechanically loaded, or hardly so, since the fold of the flexible material acts as a bellows.

In a practical advantageous embodiment, the fold is manufactured from a filter material.

In order to increase even further the filtering surface area in a filter element according to the invention, in one embodiment successive disc-shaped parts are coupled in each case on their outer periphery by at least two bands. This provides the advantage that the successive disc-shaped parts are pressed against the intermediate spacers, and the distance between these parts is no greater than a minimum distance required for a good passage of the medium for filtering.

In an alternative embodiment, a filter element according to the invention is provided with at least one band extending from the peripheral edge of the first disc-shaped part and round the filter body, and bounding this filter body.

Such a band can be arranged in simple and inexpensive manner, and after arrangement provides the

advantage that fastening of the bag of a liquid- permeable material to the peripheral ring can likewise take place in simple and inexpensive manner.

The filter material in a filter element according to the invention is for instance a plastic material, a metal or a natural material.

The spacers in a filter element according to the invention are for instance manufactured from a plastic material, a metal or from glass fibre.

The plastic material is for instance polyacrylonitrile, polyamide, polyester, polypropylene, polytetrafluoroethylene, aramid, polyvinylidene chloride or polyphenylene sulfide.

The metal is for instance stainless steel.

The natural material is for instance cotton, wool or glass.

The invention will be elucidated hereinbelow on the basis of an exemplary embodiment, with reference to the drawings.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a filter element according to the invention, and Fig. 2 shows an axial cross-section through the filter element shown in fig. 1 along the line II-II.

Fig. 1 and 2 show a filter element 1 with a cylindrical filter body, which is assembled from disc- shaped parts which are each formed by two discs 2,3, 4, 5 of filter material, for instance needlefelt, separated by a disc of mesh 7 which functions as spacer and drainage medium and which is provided with a central opening 10. Discs 2,3, 4,5 of filter material are likewise provided with a central opening 10 and are attached to each other in pairs along this opening, for instance by stitching. The successive parts, each consisting of filter material 3, mesh 7, filter material 4, are also separated from each other by a mesh 8 and attached to each other along their outer periphery, for instance by stitching. The final disc of filter material 5 (the bottom disc in the figure) is attached along its outer periphery to a base 6 of filter material not provided with a central opening, and is separated<BR> therefrom by a mesh 9. The first disc 2 (the top disc in the figure) is attached via a fold 11 to a peripheral ring 12, to which is also fastened a bag 13 of a screen mesh material. The length of the cylindrical filter body is defined by a band 14 which is tightened from a first point on the peripheral edge of the first disc-shaped part, in axial direction along the cylindrical outer periphery, under base 6 and again along the cylindrical outer periphery to a second point diametrically opposite the first point on the peripheral edge. Although one band 14 will suffice, it is recommended to enclose the cylindrical body with two bands which cross each other under the base 6. The arrows in the figure represent the direction of flow of the medium for filtering, which is admitted into the filter element via upper opening 10 and which flows as filtrate into the outlet compartment of a filter housing via mesh bag 13. The figures further show two handgrips 15 which enable quick and easy placing of the filter element in a filter housing or removal therefrom.