PATENTS

14Sealing Technology September 2006

The design of an improved environmental seal for a NID enclosure,from WO 2006/052364.

Metal valve stem seal and sealing system

Applicant: Petrolvalves USA, USAA sealing system and metal valvestem seal is described for applicationto deep sea drilling of oil and gas. Itis designed to overcome problemsexperienced with metal seals in oil &gas applications, including: inade-quate sealing capacity under highpressure conditions, prematurewear, frequent maintenance andrepair, increased damage to the seal-ing surfaces, and often the use of

more expensive equipment. It is alsoexpected to avoid the problems ofhigh wear and decompression dam-age associated with elastomer andplastic seals. The U-shaped metalstem seal has a metal wedge ring fit-ted between the inner and outer lips.The wedge ring is energized by oneor more springs.Patent number: WO 2006/052237Inventor: R. PozzatiPublication date: 18 May 2006

Respiratory mask sealApplicant: RIC Investments LLC,

USAA design of mask is described thatincludes a seal made from a singlepiece of elastomer. The elastomer is

expected to have an elongation ofat least 1000%.Patent number: WO 2006/052653Inventors: P. Ho et al.Publication date: 18 May 2006

The metal valve stem seal with a spring energized wedge ring,from WO 2006/052237.

Moveable sealApplicant: Graham Packaging Co

LP, USAA moveable seal for hot-fill andpasteurizable bottles is describedhere. The seal has a moveable por-tion that moves in response topressure created in a containerduring the processes of hot-fill

and pasteurization. In oneembodiment of the invention, theseal provides multi-directionalmovement both into and awayfrom the container opening.Patent number: WO 2006/053013Inventors: G. Trude et al.Publication date: 18 May 2006

Environmental seal for network interface deviceApplicant: Corning Cable Systems

LLC, USAThis invention is an environmen-tal seal for an outdoor networkinterface device (NID) that pro-tects communications terminationequipment at a subscriber premis-es from wind-driven dust, sandand rain. Conventional NIDdesigns are made of sheet metal ormolded plastic and capable of pro-tecting the termination equipmentand wiring connections in stan-dard dust, sand and rain tests.However, improved sealing is

required to meet new dust andwind driven rain tests. On the newdesign the outer cover includes alip that is received within thechannel when the outer cover is inthe closed position to define a sub-stantially watertight seal betweenthe base and the outer cover. Thelip and the channel have side por-tions that engage at multiple con-tact points to form an effectiveenvironmental seal.Patent number: WO 2006/052364Inventor: C.C. VoPublication date: 18 May 2006

Air helmet having face seal with differentiated permeabilityApplicant: 3M Innovative

Properties Co, USAA helmet for use by the emergencyservices that has an air supply. Theface mask seal is designed to have twoareas that have different permeability.

The use of this differentiated perme-ability allows a controlled flow of airthrough the interior of the helmet.Patent number: WO 2006/055114Inventors: D.T. Curran et al.Publication date: 26 May 2006

Bottom seal for containerApplicant: Solo Cup Operating

Corporation, USAThis invention relates to the bot-tom seal of a disposable container.The folding and knurling of the

side wall and skirt to the base aredescribed.Patent number: WO 2006/055115Inventor: T.D. Pyper Jr.Publication date: 26.05.2006

Air helmet with knitted face sealApplicant: 3M Innovative

Properties Co, USAAn air helmet for emergency ser-vices use that has a seal manufac-tured from knitted fabric. The pur-pose is to make the helmet

comfortable to wear and more like-ly that helmet wearers will use itconsistently.Patent number: WO 2006/055151Inventors: D.T. Curran et al.Publication date: 26 May 2006

Protective hood and elastomeric gasketApplicant: Morning Pride

Manufacturing LLC, USAA protective hood for emergencyworkers that comprises a face mask, afluid-impervious protective hood, anda fluid--impervious, face conformable

elastomeric gasket. A preferred mater-ial for the gasket is neoprene.Patent number: WO 2006/055051Inventors: P.K. Lewis, W.L. Grilliot

and M.I. GrilliotPublication date: 26 May 2006