An annular seal (500, 600), comprising, in a diametrical cross-section: a central body portion (510, 610); a first end portion (502, 602) contiguous with the central body portion (510, 610) and that extends to a first distal end (504, 604) which defines a first edge (505, 605); and a second end portion (506, 606) contiguous with the central body portion (510, 610) and consisting of an arcuate portion (507A, 607A) contiguous with the central body portion (510, 610); a linear portion (507C, 607C) contiguous with the arcuate portion (507A, 607A); and a portion (507B, 607B) contiguous with the linear portion (507C, 607C), wherein the portion (507B, 607B) curls inward and extends to a second distal end (508, 608) which defines a second edge (509, 609); and wherein the central body portion (510, 610) is configured so that it does not have any inflection points formed therein; and wherein the seal (500, 600) has a generally hook-shaped cross-section, wherein the first end portion (502, 602) defines either an inside diameter D2 or an outer diameter D 1 of the seal, the tangency point of the portion (507B, 607B) defining the other of these diameters, namely the outer diameter D1 or an inside diameter D2 of the seal, and wherein the first distal end (504, 604) and the second distal end (508, 608) do not face each other, characterised in that an axial height from the arcuate portion (507A, 607A) to the first distal end (504, 604) is greater than an axial height from the arcuate portion (507A, 607B) to the second distal end (508, 608). a central body portion (510, 610); a first end portion (502, 602) contiguous with the central body portion (510, 610) and that extends to a first distal end (504, 604) which defines a first edge (505, 605); and a second end portion (506, 606) contiguous with the central body portion (510, 610) and consisting of an arcuate portion (507A, 607A) contiguous with the central body portion (510, 610); a linear portion (507C, 607C) contiguous with the arcuate portion (507A, 607A); and a portion (507B, 607B) contiguous with the linear portion (507C, 607C), wherein the portion (507B, 607B) curls inward and extends to a second distal end (508, 608) which defines a second edge (509, 609); and wherein the central body portion (510, 610) is configured so that it does not have any inflection points formed therein; and wherein the seal (500, 600) has a generally hook-shaped cross-section, wherein the first end portion (502, 602) defines either an inside diameter D2 or an outer diameter D 1 of the seal, the tangency point of the portion (507B, 607B) defining the other of these diameters, namely the outer diameter D1 or an inside diameter D2 of the seal, and wherein the first distal end (504, 604) and the second distal end (508, 608) do not face each other, characterised in that an axial height from the arcuate portion (507A, 607A) to the first distal end (504, 604) is greater than an axial height from the arcuate portion (507A, 607B) to the second distal end (508, 608). an arcuate portion (507A, 607A) contiguous with the central body portion (510, 610); a linear portion (507C, 607C) contiguous with the arcuate portion (507A, 607A); and a portion (507B, 607B) contiguous with the linear portion (507C, 607C), wherein the portion (507B, 607B) curls inward and extends to a second distal end (508, 608) which defines a second edge (509, 609); and wherein the central body portion (510, 610) is configured so that it does not have any inflection points formed therein; and wherein the seal (500, 600) has a generally hook-shaped cross-section, wherein the first end portion (502, 602) defines either an inside diameter D2 or an outer diameter D 1 of the seal, the tangency point of the portion (507B, 607B) defining the other of these diameters, namely the outer diameter D1 or an inside diameter D2 of the seal, and wherein the first distal end (504, 604) and the second distal end (508, 608) do not face each other, characterised in that an axial height from the arcuate portion (507A, 607A) to the first distal end (504, 604) is greater than an axial height from the arcuate portion (507A, 607B) to the second distal end (508, 608).