Abstract: The filament structure comprises a filament with a coiled portion and an uncoiled portion. A tube is disposed on a free end of the uncoiled portion. The tube has two ends and a passage with a central axis extending between the two ends. At least one of the ends comprises an extension which projects positively above a medium plane of the end of the tube. This medium plane is perpendicular to the central axis of the tube. A method for positioning such a tube on the free end of a filament comprises the following steps. The free end of the filament is inserted in a slit between two parallel support surfaces so that the free end is projecting upward. The tube is placed on the free end of the filament so that the extension of the tube projects downward towards the support surfaces and the lower end of the tube abuts at least one of the support surfaces.

Abstract: This invention relates to an electrode assembly for a sealed lamp envelope. The electrode assembly comprises an outer lead wire and an inner lead wire, providing electric connection to an electrode in the envelope. A substantially planar conductor foil connects the outer lead wire and the inner lead wire. The conductor foil provides a sealed electric connection through a sealed portion of the envelope. In order to improve the mechanical stiffness of the conductor foil, the conductor foil comprises a curvature. The curvature is formed by the foil in a plane substantially perpendicular to a line connecting the outer lead wire and the inner lead wire. There is provided a lamp with the electrode assembly and a method for stiffening a conductor foil of an electrode assembly of a sealed lamp envelope.