Patent ID: 7587863

Claim:
A seal for sanitary overpressure relieving apparatus having frame structure presenting opposed surfaces receiving the peripheral portion of a vent membrane unit therebetween wherein the vent membrane unit is provided with a series of slots adjacent the frame structure defining a relief area of the vent membrane unit, said seal adapted to be positioned between the vent membrane unit and one of the frame structure surfaces in sealing relationship thereto and comprising: an elongated flexible one piece body having a main body section and a central section configured to be generally aligned with the relief area defining slots in the vent membrane unit when the seal is installed between the vent membrane unit and said one frame structure surface, a main lug portion unitary with the central section of the seal body and projecting therefrom in a direction to sealingly engage the vent membrane unit inwardly of the relief area defining slots with respect to the frame structure, a secondary lug segment unitary with the central section of the seal, spaced from the main lug portion, and located outboard of the main lug portion and inboard of the relief area defining slots in disposition to engage the vent membrane unit in the installed position of the seal, there being an elongated, longitudinally extending cavity in the central section of the seal body between the main lug portion and the secondary lug segment in facing relationship to the vent membrane unit, said main lug portion and the secondary lug segment each being of relative lengths and located in positions such that the main lug portion and the secondary lug segment are movable relatively toward and away from each other in opposite directions while remaining in tight sealing contact with the vent membrane unit in the installed position of the seal as the vent membrane unit cycles in and out during use of the apparatus.