Patent ID: 7470301

Claim:
Device for depolluting the exhaust gases of a heat engine comprising an outer casing ( 23 ; 123 ) delimiting a passage for the circulation of exhaust gases and a particle filter ( 20 ; 120 ) mounted in said passage, said casing ( 23 ; 123 ) comprising a transverse break ( 34 ) along all of its periphery, which break ( 34 ) divides the casing ( 23 ; 123 ) into successive first and second segments ( 38 , 40 ; 138 , 140 ), the first and the second successive segments ( 38 , 40 ; 138 , 140 ) comprising mutually engaged ends, one outer end of the first segment ( 38 ; 138 ) overlapping one inner end of the second segment ( 40 ; 140 ) along part of the length of the circulation passage, characterised in that the outer end of the first segment ( 38 ; 138 ) comprises along its periphery at least one weakened zone ( 52 ; 152 ) allowing variation of the cross-section of said outer end of the first segment ( 38 ; 138 ), a plurality of weakened zones distributed along the periphery of the first segment ( 38 ; 138 ), which zones define between them support tongues ( 52 ; 152 ) on the inner end of the second segment ( 40 ; 140 ).