Abstract: A Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) for an optical fibre comprising a set of optical inputs, one for each wavelength of a WDM optical signal to be transmitted, a graphene electro-absorption modulator (EAM) for each optical input to modulate light from the optical input, and one or more drivers to drive each graphene electro-absorption modulator. The drivers have a data input, a low pass filter to low-pass filter data from the data input to provide low pass filtered data, and an output to drive each graphene electro-absorption modulator with a combination of the low pass filtered data and a bias voltage. The bias voltage is configured to bias the graphene EAM into a region in which, e.g., when the transmission of the graphene electro-absorption modulator increases the effective refractive index for the modulated light decreases and vice-versa to pre-chirp to the modulated light to compensate for dispersion in the fibre.

Abstract: A method for applying a component of a package for a substance for infusion having a filter bag for containing a substance and a pickup tag for manually picking up the filter bag includes a method for knotting a string to at least one of the components, which has the steps of interposing, between a string which is held taut along a first axis and a needle having an open lateral eye and angled transversally to the axis of the string, at least one of the components of the package, the component being angled so that the plane in which it lies is substantially parallel with the axis of the string; hooking the string with a single needle and using a sequence of passes through the plane in which the component lies forming stitching, which knots at least two loops of the string that are linked together one after another; and tightening the stitching to stably knot the string to the one or each component of the package.

Abstract: A method for applying a component of a package for a substance for infusion having a filter bag for containing a substance and a pickup tag for manually picking up the filter bag includes a method for knotting a string to at least one of the components, which has the steps of interposing, between a string which is held taut along a first axis and a needle having an open lateral eye and angled transversally to the axis of the string, at least one of the components of the package, the component being angled so that the plane in which it lies is substantially parallel with the axis of the string; hooking the string with a single needle and using a sequence of passes through the plane in which the component lies forming stitching, which knots at least two loops of the string that are linked together one after another; and tightening the stitching to stably knot the string to the one or each component of the package.

Abstract: A method and a line for the high-speed packaging of filter bags (1) containing an infusion product comprises at least three successive operating steps whereby: the filter bags (1) are wrapped in a continuous protective tubular envelope (2) by sealing a continuous V-shaped folded strip (3) along a longitudinal sealing line (5) and transversal sealing lines (6); the tubular envelope (2) is cut into lengths; and the filter bags (1), individually wrapped in respective envelopes (2), are placed in cartons. In the method and line (26) according to the invention, the transversal seal (6) is made in two successive steps as the continuous folded strip (3) moves through two separate consecutive sealing stations (7, 8), the first station (7) making a part of the transversal seal (6) and the second station (8) completing the same transversal seal (6).

Abstract: A method and a line for the high-speed packaging of filter bags (1) containing an infusion product comprises at least three successive operating steps whereby: the filter bags (1) are wrapped in a continuous protective tubular envelope (2) by sealing a continuous V-shaped folded strip (3) along a longitudinal sealing line (5) and transversal sealing lines (6); the tubular envelope (2) is cut into lengths; and the filter bags (1), individually wrapped in respective envelopes (2), are placed in cartons. In the method and line (26) according to the invention, the transversal seal (6) is made in two successive steps as the continuous folded strip (3) moves through two separate consecutive sealing stations (7, 8), the first station (7) making a part of the transversal seal (6) and the second station (8) completing the same transversal seal (6).

Abstract: A filter bag for containing a substance for infusion in a liquid comprises: a containment chamber with compartments for doses of the substance, sealed by top and bottom joins; a tag for picking up the bag; and a section of thread, wound around the outside of the containment chamber and extending along an outline of the chamber, one end of the thread being connected to the pick-up tag and the other to the top of the containment chamber. The section of thread is longer than the outline of the containment chamber to which it is attached. The excess length of the section of thread relative to the outline of the chamber is gathered on the outside of the containment chamber for the substance for infusion and is attached to the pick-up tag. A method for production of the filter bag is also part of the invention.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for feeding a user machine (3) with particulate products, such as products for infusion like tea, chamomile and herbal teas in general, comprises a hopper (2) for dispensing the product and means (40; 7) for transferring the product from the hopper (2) to the user machine (3). The hopper (2) includes a feed body (4), with vertical walls (5), having an outlet opening (6) at its lower end. The transfer means (40) comprise a motor-driven, endless conveyor (7) facing the outlet opening (6). The apparatus also comprises adjustment means (50; 10, 11, 30) for adjusting the gap between the endless conveyor (7) and the outlet opening (6) according to the characteristics of the product feeding out the hopper (2).

Abstract: A machine (100) that makes filter bags (1) containing a product for infusion in a liquid, comprises the following, arranged in succession: a unit (53) for preparing and feeding the materials used to make the filter bags; and at least: an assembly (54) for metering the infusion product; a forming unit (55); a dividing unit (56) and a unit (57) for cutting the filter bags (1). In the preparing and feeding unit (53) three separate filter bag materials, consisting of a web (17) of filter paper, a continuous thread (31), and a row of tags (6) are gradually brought together, while moving continuously, and first loops (10) are made in the thread (31) and gathered between the tags (6). The filter bags (1) are subsequently formed in the metering assembly (54), in the dividing unit (56) and in the cutting unit (57), which also operate with continuous motion.

Abstract: In a machine for making filter bags for infusion products, a flattened tube (34) is used which is made from a web (17) of filter paper that: is heat-sealable by thermal reactivation of a layer of glue; is fed continuously in the horizontal position; has individual charges (19) of the infusion product placed on its top surface at suitable intervals; and, lastly, is gradually folded onto itself until its longitudinal edges (18) are juxtaposed. An apparatus (250) for sealing the tube (34) comprises an operator block (94) bearing two rows (251) of emitters (96) designed to give off a gaseous fluid heated to a suitable temperature. The operator block (94), accommodated inside the tube (34) with the emitters (96) aligned and juxtaposed with the edges (18), directs the fluid against internal faces (97) of the tube (34) directly at the layer of glue on the web (17) which is simultaneously folded around the operator block (94) itself.

Abstract: An apparatus (200) for automatically and continuously forming envelopes (51) to contain filter bags (1) for an infusion product comprises: means (60; 129, 131) for forming the envelopes, designed to make on a web (126) of packaging material moving along a predetermined feed path (174) a longitudinal fold line delimiting two adjacent flaps (127) defining an interposed opening through which the web (126) can be laterally accessed by the filter bags (1); manipulating means (123, 148, 128) designed to receive the filter bags (1) in succession, to turn them so that they lie in substantially the same plane as the web flaps (127) and to move the filter bags (1) along a feed path (62a, 62b, 62c) having at least one end stretch (62c) that is substantially centered relative to the web flaps (127), the filter bags (1) moving along the stretch (62c) in the same direction as the paper web (126) before the manipulating means (123, 148, 128) release the filter bags (1) between the web flaps (127).

Abstract: A machine (100) that makes filter bags (1) containing a product for infusion in a liquid, comprises the following, arranged in succession: a unit (53) for preparing and feeding the materials used to make the filter bags; and at least: an assembly (54) for metering the infusion product; a forming unit (55); a dividing unit (56) and a unit (57) for cutting the filter bags (1). In the preparing and feeding unit (53) three separate filter bag materials, consisting of a web (17) of filter paper, a continuous thread (31), and a row of tags (6) are gradually brought together, while moving continuously, and first loops (10) are made in the thread (31) and gathered between the tags (6). The filter bags (1) are subsequently formed in the metering assembly (54), in the dividing unit (56) and in the cutting unit (57), which also operate with continuous motion.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing and feeding materials used to make a filter bag for infusion products includes a revolving wheel having mechanisms arranged in succession thereon that are used for: forming filter bag pick-up tags and arranging them in order; feeding a continuous thread and forming first loops in the thread at regular intervals; delimiting separate faces on the tags and folding them onto each other so that the loops are held therebetween; joining the faces of each tag to each other; associating a web of filter paper to the edge of the revolving wheel and positioning it above the continuous thread and the tags connected to the thread; pushing a portion of the thread through the filter paper so as to form a second loop extending outward from the wheel.

Abstract: A filter bag for containing a substance for infusion in a liquid comprises: a containment chamber with compartments for doses of the substance, sealed by top and bottom joins; a tag for picking up the bag; and a section of thread, wound around the outside of the containment chamber and extending along an outline of the chamber, one end of the thread being connected to the pick-up tag and the other to the top of the containment chamber. The section of thread is longer than the outline of the containment chamber to which it is attached. The excess length of the section of thread relative to the outline of the chamber is gathered on the outside of the containment chamber for the substance for infusion and is attached to the pick-up tag. A method for production of the filter bag is also part of the invention.

Abstract: In a machine for making filter bags for infusion products, a flattened tube (34) is used which is made from a web (17) of filter paper that: is heat-sealable by thermal reactivation of a layer of glue; is fed continuously in the horizontal position; has individual charges (19) of the infusion product placed on its top surface at suitable intervals; and, lastly, is gradually folded onto itself until its longitudinal edges (18) are juxtaposed. An apparatus (250) for sealing the tube (34) comprises an operator block (94) bearing two rows (251) of emitters (96) designed to give off a gaseous fluid heated to a suitable temperature. The operator block (94), accommodated inside the tube (34) with the emitters (96) aligned and juxtaposed with the edges (18), directs the fluid against internal faces (97) of the tube (34) directly at the layer of glue on the web (17) which is simultaneously folded around the operator block (94) itself.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for feeding a user machine (3) with particulate products, such as products for infusion like tea, chamomile and herbal teas in general, comprises a hopper (2) for dispensing the product and means (40; 7) for transferring the product from the hopper (2) to the user machine (3). The hopper (2) includes a feed body (4), with vertical walls (5), having an outlet opening (6) at its lower end. The transfer means (40) comprise a motor-driven, endless conveyor (7) facing the outlet opening (6). The apparatus also comprises adjustment means (50; 10, 11, 30) for adjusting the gap between the endless conveyor (7) and the outlet opening (6) according to the characteristics of the product feeding out the hopper (2).

Abstract: A filter bag for containing a substance for infusion in a liquid comprises: a containment chamber with compartments for doses of the substance, sealed by top and bottom joins; a tag for picking up the bag; and a section of thread, wound around the outside of the containment chamber and extending along an outline of the chamber, one end of the thread being connected to the pick-up tag and the other to the top of the containment chamber. The section of thread is longer than the outline of the containment chamber to which it is attached. The excess length of the section of thread relative to the outline of the chamber is gathered on the outside of the containment chamber for the substance for infusion and is attached to the pick-up tag. A method for production of the filter bag is also part of the invention.

Abstract: A device for compacting, on a first conveyor belt which is permeable to air, a solid substance consisting of loose particles, deposited in doses at regular intervals by dosing means which are synchronized with the first conveyor belt, comprises a second conveyor belt which moves at the same speed as and is located below the first belt, the second belt having through-holes at intervals along its length corresponding with the intervals used to deposit the doses of the substance; and vacuum means which are in continuous communication with the holes so that, through the first conveyor belt, they exert suction on the doses of the substance, keeping the particles of the substance together and in contact with the conveyor belt below them.

Abstract: An apparatus for making a wrapper for a product comprises: a feed device; an area for unwinding a web of heat-sealable paper; a station for feeding products which continuously receives and feeds out a first web of paper while placing the products on the web in succession and spaced equally apart; a station for feeding a second web of heat-sealable paper, where the second web of paper, fed by the feed device, is laid over the products and moves along continuously together with the first web of paper below it; a sealing station where the two webs of paper are joined crossways and lengthways to form a chain of closed wrappers, each containing a product. The apparatus comprises a single pair of feed rollers equipped with sealing elements and means for automatically detecting and correcting the misalignment of the sealing elements relative to the webs of paper by causing the rollers and the webs of paper to slip relative to each other.