A machine and method for making a continuous tubular element with filling having a spacer and/or filter function

A machine for making a continuous tubular element with filling having a spacer and/or filter function, comprising:

• first feed means for feeding at least a first continuous web and configured to feed the at least a first continuous web along at least a first feed path;
• second feed means for feeding at least a second continuous web and configured to feed the at least one second continuous web along a respective second feed path, said first and second feed paths converging towards a superposing zone;
• a forming station positioned on the first feed path and configured to perform a folding and/or a deformation of the first continuous web in a shaped configuration wherein said first continuous web adopts a predetermined non-circular shape, in particular three-dimensional and/or curved, in section transversal to the first feed path;
• downstream of said superposing zone, a wrapping station wherein said second web is wrapped in a tubular shape around said first shaped web, obtaining a continuous tubular element,
• at least a first gluing device positioned on the first and/or on the second feed path upstream of said superposing zone and configured for applying at least one longitudinal line of glue respectively on said first continuous web and/or on said second continuous web in such a way as to define at least one gluing zone, said at least one longitudinal line of glue being positioned in such a way as to coincide with a zone of superposing and contact between said first and second continuous web feeding out from the wrapping station.