Patent ID: 7216872

Claim:
A seal for use with a pipe and flange assembly, comprising: a. a central cylindrical elastomeric member having a double tapered first edge and a double tapered second edge located opposite said first edge, each of said edges comprising an outer surface and an inner surface intersecting to define an acute angle in the range of 60–85 degrees, and further comprising a curved surface at the region of intersection of each outer surface and inner surface, said elastomeric member having a hardness in the range of 50–60 Shore A and a tensile strength in the range of 1810–2150 psi; b. a first elastomeric end ring contacting the first edge, comprising an outer face, an upper face, a lower face, and a receiving face sized and shaped to snugly receive the first edge, said first elastomeric end ring having a hardness in the range of 55–75 Shore D, and a tensile strength in the range of 6700–7700 psi; and c. a second elastomeric end ring contacting the second edge, comprising an outer face, an upper face, a lower face, and a receiving face sized and shaped to snugly receive the second edge, said second elastomeric end ring having a hardness in the range of 55–75 Shore D, and a tensile strength in the range of 6700–7700 psi.