Filter element and filter device

A filter element comprising:

• two filter bellows arranged adjacent to each other in a predetermined flow direction such that the two filter bellows are flowed through in series;
• wherein the two filter bellows each comprise an inflow surface, an outflow surface, and four or more side faces;
• wherein the two filter bellows adjoin each other in an interface region between the outflow surface of one of the two filter bellows and the inflow surface of the other one of the two filter bellows;
• a circumferentially extending seal disposed in the interface region and connecting the two filter bellows directly to each other by a material fusion connection;
• wherein, in a first transverse direction transverse to the predetermined flow direction, one of the two filter bellows comprises a first small extension and the other one of the two filter bellows comprises a first large extension, wherein the first large extension is larger than the first small extension;
• wherein the two filter bellows in the first transverse direction are arranged relative to each other such that, along at least one first edge of the filter bellows comprising the first large extension, a first free space is present in the interface region at the inflow surface or the outflow surface of the filter bellows comprising the first large extension, wherein the first free space is not covered by the filter bellows comprising the first small extension;
• wherein the circumferentially extending seal in a region of the first free space is connected directly by material fusion to the inflow surface or the outflow surface of the filter bellows comprising the first large extension.