Filter Element with Filter Bellows

A filter element for filtering a fluid, the filter element comprising:

• a filter bellows comprising a filter medium folded along fold edges in a zigzag shape to form folds, wherein the folds extend between oppositely positioned end face edges of the filter bellows;
• wherein the filter bellows defines a raw side and a clean side of the filter element, wherein a fluid to be filtered flows from the raw side to the clean side;
• wherein the filter medium comprises faces that are flowed through by the fluid to be filtered and wherein the filter medium further comprises on at least one of the faces that are flowed through one or more beads extending transversely to the fold edges of the filter medium;
• wherein, in a proper operating state of the filter bellows, the beads effect a flow of at least a portion of the fluid to be filtered in a direction perpendicular to the fold edges.