CA2245534A1 - Desiccant container - Google Patents

Abstract

A container (10) for particulate desiccant (12) comprises a cup (14) and a cap (16). The cup (14) includes spaced inner (18) and outer (22) wall portions connected by a transverse web portion (24) to define a chamber (26) having an opening (28) for receiving the desiccant (12). The chamber (26) side of the transverse web (24) includes peripheral (86) and central (88) flanges, or energy directors, to which a first ply (74) of permeable lining material is ultrasonically bonded. The cap (16) is designed for receipt in the chamber (26) to cover the opening (28). In addition, the cap (16) includes peripheral (62) and central (64) flanges, or energy directors, to which a second ply (76) of permeable lining material is ultrasonically bonded.

Description

WO 97/28876 PCT/lJS97/02202 DF~ICCANT CONTAINER

BACKGROUND OF THE INVE~NTION

Field of the Invention This invention relates to desiccant cont~iners for use in air or fluid dryers of automotive air conditioning systems and the like, and more particularIy, it relates to a desiccant container having peripheral and central flanges about an inner surface of a transverse web portion and an inner sur~ace of a cap which f~cilitAte bonding of plies of permeable lining m~teri~l for holding desiccant in the COllklin~-l.

R~ck~round of the Invention Desiccants are commonly used in automotive air conditioning systems for dehydrating air and refrigerants. Particulate desiccants are comrnon in suchsystems because the high surface area-to-volume ratios of the particles facilitates the interaction of the particles with ~ vlJnding air or fluid. Since the particles of ~1e~icc~nt must be held in the air or fluid stream and prevented from cont~min~tin other parts of the system, the particles must be held in a cont~iner which is permeable to the air or fluid but impermeable to the particles.
One form of dryer used in automotive air conditioning systems includes an elongated lecei~el or accnm~ tQr canister having inlet and outlet ports cc Inin lll ,icating with the interior of the canister. A desiccant cont~iner is positioned in the interior of the canister and allows for air and/or fluid flow ~rough the desiccant m~t~ri~1 One form of package-type desiccant c~ nt~inPr for use in an accurnulator or receiver dryer is constructed from synthetic felted wool or polyester which is filled with desiccant and then sealed by stitell;n~ or filsing. One disadvantage to this form of package is that the felted bag may not col~u~ to the shape of the canister, so that air or fluid may bypass the desiccant. Another disadvantage is that the bag may be non-uniforrn in shape, thereby making ~ntcm~tic assembly of the dryer difficult.

If felted polyester is used as a less ~ nsi~re substitute for felted wool, the seams of the bag may be formed by ultrasonic welding. Ul~lLu~lately, the reliability of such llltr~or~ic welds is questionable and the bag may open up, allowing adsorbent m~tf ri~1 to escape from the bag and potentially cont~min~te the 5 system. In ~liti~n, the felted polyester bag is vulnerable to burn-through when the dryer is welded shut.
In another proposed form of an accllm~ tor or receiver dryer, particulate rlecicc~nt is trapped between a pair of grids or plates which are welded or press fit inside the canister. According to one embodiment, the de~i5c~nt is charged 10 by pouring the d~sicc~nt particles into the canister once a first of the grids or plates is positioned. A pipe extends through holes in the grids or plates to exhaust dried air or fluid to an outlet port.
A dryer of this form is likely to be difficult to assemble because the grids or plates must be slid into position and, in some cases, welded inside the15 ~ ni~ter. Further, since the desiccant particles are m~nl-~lly poured into the c:~ni~t.or, the desiccant must be pre-measured due to the difficulty of controlling the amount of ~esicc~nt poured into the canister based on visual observation alone. The pouring of the ~leeicc~r)t creates a risk of acci~nt~l co.,~ tion outside the acc~lm~ qtor because desiccant particles may fall into the pipe c--mmllnicating with the outlet port.
20 Nevertheless, the amount of desiccant poured into the canister may vary from canister to canister for at least the reasons m~ntione-l above.
Copending Patent Application Serial No. 08/235,283, incorporated herein by reference, a~si~n~cl to the same ~ign~e of the present invention, and copending Patent Application Serial No. 08/396,932, incorporated herein by 25 reference, ~ to the same ~c~i~n~e of the present invention, each disclose a two-piece desiccant c~ er that can be inserted within an ~Ccllm~ tor or receiverdryer c~ni~tPr. The desiccant co~ in~ s a cup for holding particulate desiccant and a removable cap which retains the particulate desiccant within the cup.
The cup includes a tubular inner wall portion, a concentric outer wall 30 portion, and a transverse web portion that cooperate to define a chamber for holding the desiccant. The inner wall portion defines a centrai axially extending sleeve for receiving an alurninurn canister tube ofthe ~Cc~m~ tc)r or receiver dryer canister.
The c~nt~in~r includes two plies of permeable lining material for trapping the desiccant within the rll~mher. In operation, air or fluid passes through the desiccant material and dehydrated air or fluid is returned through the inner wall portion and 5 canister tube to the air conditioning system. ~o,n~l~ssive loading of the desiccant within the cu~ h~ is relied upon to mAint~in the desiccant securely within the charnber, but some desiccant may escape past the edges of the permeable lining material to col lt;~ te the air conditioning system.

S.l.. ~.y ofthe Invention These disadvantages and others are met by means of the present invention embodied in a container for a particulate desiccant which comprises a generally cylindrical cup and a removable cap for ret~ining the particulate desiccant.
The cup includes spaced inner and outer wall portions connecte~l by a transverse web 15 portion that cooperate to define a chamber having an opening for receiving the particulate desiccant.
The cap is designed for receipt in the chamber to hold the desired particulate desiccant m~tPn~i in place in the cup. In addition, the cap has a hole for receiving the inner wall portion of the cup when the cap is received in the charnber.
Both the transverse web portion and the cap are perforated to allow air or fluid to reach the desiccant housed therein. The container inchlc~es first and second plies of permeable lining material that trap the particulate desiccant in the cc~
Both the transverse web portion and the cap include on their sl-rfAces proximate the chamber a pair of concentric radially spaced-apart flanges ("energy di,~ o,~") to which the edges of the first and second plies of permeable lining m~PriAl are merh~n~cally secured when the plies are ultrasonically bonded to thetransverse web portion and the cap, respectively.
Therefore, it is one object of the invention to provide a desiccant package that is simple to assemble, reduces material costs, and reliably prevents loss of desiccant. This and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be described in further detail in co~ e~;Lion with pl~ d embo-limt?nte of the invention shown in the accon~ y;llg drawings, wherein:

RRIEF ~)ESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWrNGS
Fig. lA is a top plan view of the ~lP~icç~nt cont~iner cap;
Fig. 1 B is a top plan view of the desiccant container without the cap inet~lle-l;
Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the desiccant container taken along the line 2-2 in Fig. 1 B with the cap shown in elevation above and detached from the 10 c-)nt~in~.r and with the cap also shown in phantom as ~tt~çh~l to the container;
Fig. 3A is a bottom plan view of the cap; and Fig. 3B is a bottom plan view of the desiccant container.

r)ets~iled Descril~tion of the Preferred FmhQ~limpnt5 Figs. lA-3B illustrate a desiccant container 10 (Fig. 2) for holding desiccant particles or beads 12 that comprieeS a generally cylindrically cross-sectioned cup 14 and a cap 16.
As best seen in Fig. 2, the cup 14 is a one-piece plastic molding that includes a cylindrical inner wall portion 18 e~tton-ling along a central axis 20, a cylindrical outer wall portion 22 concentric with the inner wall portion 18, and a bottom defined by a transverse wall or web portion 24 that joins ~e inner wall portion 18 to the outer wall portion 22. The inner and outer wall portions 18, 22 and the transverse web portion 24 cooperate to define a chamber 26 having an opening 28 for receiving the cleeicç~nt 12.
The cylindrical outer wall portion 22 includes a plurality of axially and circumferentially spaced-apart beads or nib segments 30 projecting radially inwardly from an inner surface 32 of the outer wall portion 22. The plurality of nib segments 30 are arranged into four axially spaced-apart groupings 34 proximate acap side ofthe col~L~ el 10. The nib se~nf~nt~ 30 within each grouping 34 are oriented in a common plane which extends transverse to the central axis 20. Further, the nib segments 30 within each grouping 34 are circumferentially spaced-apart by CA 02245534 1998-07-30 ~ ~ C~/ iS ~ 7 / 02 Z 0 !P&~US~ O D~C l~

approximately 45~. As discussed further below, the nib se~ment~ 30 permit the cap 16 to be retained within the chamber 26 in the tightest possible location in order to reduce or prevent movement or ~hiftin~ of the particulate desiccant 12 within the chamber 26.
S As shown, the outer wall portion 22 also incl~l(le~ an outwardly flared lip portion 38. The flared lip portion 38 is adapted to resiliently fit within a dryer canister of an air conditioning or refrigeration system (not shown). Thus, the desiccant container 10 is ~ ~d within the dryer canister by means of a friction or .lt;.r."ellce fit provided by the flared lip portion 38. The lip portion 38 also serves as a continuous annular seal to prevent air or fluid escape that may otherwise occur along the int~ e between the circumference of the cup 14 and the dryer c~ni~ter.The lip portion 38 may be omitted in many in~ ces with the o.d. of the cup 14 itself so .~ ;oned as to provide for a snap or friction fit within the i.d of the corresponding ~ cl~mul~tor or canister.
The inner wall portion 18 serves as a sleeve for receiving a portion of an alllmim.m pipe or conduit (not shown) which comml-nic~tes with an outlet port(not shown) of the air conditioning or refrigeration system. The inner wall portion ~_, 18 inchl-1es a beveled inner end surface 56 at the cap side thereof. The beveled inner end surface 56 tapers radially inwardly in a direction toward the l~ e~e web portion 24 to f~ilit~t~ insertion of the al--min--m pipe or con~llit The transverse web portion 24, on a side pl~xilllate the chamber 26, in~ h~les an armular peripheral flanged portion 86 eYt~ lin~ axially from an outer circurnference proximate the outer wall 22, and a central annular flanged portion 88 extending axially from an irmer circumference proximate the inner wall 18.
As best shown in Figs. lA and lB, the cap 16 conforms to the circular shape of the cup 14. The cap 16 includes an interrne~ te planar portion 60, a first peripheral flanged portion 62 extending transversely from an outer circurnference of the interrnediate planar portion 60, and a first central flanged portion 64 e~tL?nding transversely from an inner circurnference of the interme~ te planar portion 60. A
hole 66 extends through the central flanged portion 64 for receiving the inner wall portion 18 of the cup 14 in an assembled state. The cap 16 includes, on a side -proxim~te the chamber 26, a second annular peripheral flanged portion 90 (Fig. 3A) ç~n~in~ axially from an outer circurnference of the hll~ cdiate planar po~ion 60, and a second annular central flanged portion 92 e~t~ontling axially from an inner circurnference of the intPrme~ te planar portion 60.
The first peripheral flanged portion 62 of the cap includes an edge portion 68 which cooperates with the nib groupings 34 to positively lock the cap 16 to the cup 14. (See Fig. 2) That is, the outer diameter of the edge portion 68 is greater than the inner diameter of the nib groupings 34. Fur~er, the edge portion ~58 has an axial thickness which is less than the axial ~p~in~ between ~ .nt nib 10 ~ u~ings 34 so that the edge portion 68 can be positively retained between axially adjacent nib groupings 34.
The cap 16 is sufficiently resilient so that when the cap 16 is ~ttzl~hf~c~
or ~3t-t~ch~<l from the cup 14, the edge portion 68 will pass over the nib groupings 34 when s~-ff;cient force is applied to the cap 16. In the preferred embodiment, the edge 15 portion 68 is circurnferentially continuous. However, the edge portion 68 could be circumferentially i~ ",;~i~nt if desired.
The transverse web portion 24 of the cup 14 and the int~ormediate planar portion 60 of the cap 16 are each ~elr(3ldled with a number of symrnetrically arranged ports or p~ .roldlions 70, 72, respectively, so that the interrnediate planar 20 portion 60 and the L~ e web portion 24 are each permeable to the air or fluid to be dried. In the exarnple shown, the ports 70, 72 are arranged in concentric annular rows such that the inner row has nine ports and the outer row has eighteen ports. nle precise arrangement and shape of the ports is not critical to the operation of the d~sicc~nt cn.";.;.l~l 10 as long as the desiccant 12 remains cont~inet1 and air or fluid 25 (not shown~ is allowed to enter the container 10, interact evenly with the desiccant 12 and e~chs~ t from the co~ ~ i O.
As shown in Fig. 2, a first ply 74 and a second ply 76 of a permeable lining mslteri~l, such as felted polyester or gauze, are placed inside the chamber 26 near the transverse web portion 24 and the chamber-side of the cap 16 to trap the 30 desiccant 12 in the container 10. The lining material must be permeable to t-h-e air or fluid to be dried (not shown) but impermeable to the particulate desiccant 12. If ~ ,',S '3 'i~ ',f'~ , S; I ' ' '' ' r ~

CA 02245~34 1998-07-30 P~Tl~S ~ ? 2 0 U~lUS3 0 ~~C i~

gauze is used, the mesh size of the gauze must be significantly smaller than the grain size of the desiccant. The material p~cselltly p-~ d for use is a polyester feltmaterial, but other synthetic thermoplastic felt like fabrics can also be used. While the plies 74, 76 are shown as circular liners or pads having central holes 78, 80, 5 respectively, embracing and surrounding the inner wall portion 18, the plies may also be separate plies of a permeable capsule or pouch (not shown), such as a toroidal capsule shaped to surround the inner wall portion 18.
One method for fabricating the desiccant container 10 includes the '~! step of casting or injection molding the cup 14 to form a one-piece plastic member 10 having the inner and outer wall portions 18, 22 connPcte~l by the transverse web portion 24. One plastic suited for use in casting the cup 14 is polypropylene.
Polyethylene may also be used but is not pl~f~ ~lcd. The cap 16 is likewise cast from plastic.
The first ply 74 of the pç~rnP~hle lining m~ten~l iS inserted by sliding 15 it down the inner wall portion 18 until positioned ~jacPrlt the transverse web portion 24. The first ply 74 is then ultrasonically welded or heat sealed to the transverse web 24 along the annular peripheral flanged portion 86 and central flanged portion 88.
~, The desiccant 12 is then charged into the chamber 26, as by pouring. Since the chamber 26 is toroidal and relatively shallow, the height of the desiccant 12 in the 20 chamber 26 can be seen through the opening 28 so that the proper amount of desiccant 12 is charged in a manual operation.
The second ply 76 of the permeable lining m~teri~l iS ultrasonically welded or heat sealed to the cap 16 at the second annular peripheral flanged portion 90 and second annular central flanged portion 92. The cap 16 is then inserted into 25 the chamber 26 such that the inner wall portion 18 extends through the hole 66 in the cap 16 and the second ply 76 is oriented toward the desiccant 12. As the cap 16 is urged downwardly toward the transverse web portion 24, the edge portion 68 of the cap 16 passes radially inwardly over the axially spaced nib groupings 34 until the interrnediate planar portion 60 of the cap 16 snugly sandwiches the second ply 76 30 against the cha~ged desiccant 12. In a locked state, the cap 16 abuts against the second ply 76 and charged desiccant 12 while the edge portion 68 thereof is WO 97/28876 PCT/lJS97/02202 lockingly retained by at least one nib grouping 34.
Depending upon the specific amount of ~CiCC~nt 12 co~f~ine~l in the charnber 26, the edge portion 68 may be lockingly retained beLwt;ell axially ~ c~?nt nib groupings 34, or the edge portion 68 may abut against a nib grouping 34 positioned axially ;~ cçnt the edge portion 68 in the cap side direction.
Once the desiccant cont~iner 10 is assembled, it can then be inserted into a dryer c~ni~tçr or accl1mtll~tQr in, for example, an automobile air conditionLng or refrigerator system (not shown). ~he outwardly flared lip portion 38 resiliently bears against an inside surface of the dryer canister to provide a snug fit of the 10 desiccant container 10 in the dryer canister. The lip portion 38 also serves to prevent air or fluid from bypassing the desiccant container 10 so as to ensure passage thereof through the chatnber 26 and over the desiccant particles 12.
In operation, the air or fluid to be dried passes through ports 72 in the cap 16, through second ply 76, over the desiccant 12 in the chamber 26, through first 1~ p}y 74, through ports 70 in the transverse web 24, and into a reservoir (not shown) in the dryer ç~ni~ter. The dried air or fluid is returned to the air conditioning system through a passage 50 formed by inner wall 18, and through a canister tube (not shown~ received within the inner wall portion 18.
The cup l 4 may be vibrator or bowl fed to a robotic arm (not shown) 20 for automatic in~t~ tion into the dryer canister or accllm~ tor. Furthermore, the plies 74, 76 of pern~ hle lining m~t~ri~l are relatively resistant to burn-through in the cup 14 while the dryer e~nigter is being welded ~not shown). As stated previously, the cup 14 may be sized to fit snugly in the c~ni~ter to inhibit bypass flow of air or fluid to be dried. The nib groupings 34 for ~1et~ining the cap 16 on the 25 cup 14, and the flanged portions 86, 88, 90, 92 for mech~nic~lly securing the plies 74, 76 to the cup 14 and cap 16, respectively, are highly reliable so the risk that desiccant will escape and cont~min~te other parts of the air conditioning or refrigeration system ~not shown) is ...;nii..i~ecl The ~nnlll~rly shaped portions 86, 88, 90, and 92 provide raised, level 30 sl-rf~- es for ~n~horin~ or heat sealing of the felt like filter m~t~ri~l to the cup and cap respectively. Additionally they serve as cont~inment ridges helping to m~int~in the - CA 0224~34 1998-07-30 ~CTlUS 9 7 i 02 2 0,~ IP~JUS3O ~EC ~997 desiccant particles in the cup chamber in those instances in which the felt may be loosened from its norrnally fixed engagement to the transverse wall of the cup or to the cap.
The flanges 86, 88, 90 and 92 provide a more ~..rollllly level surface 5 for the filter material to bond to as compared to direct heat sealing of the felt like filter to the planar transverse web or underside of the cap. Also, the sllbst~nti~lly smaller area of these flanges 86, 88, 90 and 99 f~ilit~tes m~ch~nical bonding of the plies 74, 76 to the cup 14 and the cap 16, respectively. These small mounting or_- welding surfaces melt during ultrasonic welding or heat sealing and then ~e~ dl~;
10 into the felt to improve filter adhesion to the cup surfaces.
Various changes or modifications in the invention described may occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit or scope of the invention. The above description of pler~ d embo-1;...~ .I~i of the invention isint~ntlecl to be illustrative and not limiting, and it is not intt~n(1ec~ that the invention be 15 restricted thereto but that it be limited only by the true spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims (45)

--CLAIMS--

1. A container for a particulate desiccant, said container comprising:
a cup member including an outer wall portion and an inner wall portion, a transverse web portion connected to said outer wall portion and said inner wall portion to define a chamber having an opening; and a cap for receipt in said chamber; and first and second plies of permeable lining material for placement in said chamber to trap the particulate desiccant in said chamber;
said transverse web portion having a flange formed therein adapted for sealing engagement by bonding to one of said plies of permeable lining material

2. The container as recited in claim 1 wherein said transverse web portion and said cap include perforations therein.

3. The container as recited in claim 1 wherein said outer wall is a cylinder.

4. The container as recited in claim 1 wherein said outer wall portion includes a flared lip extending outwardly from said outer wall.

5. The container as recited in claim 1 wherein said outer wall portion includes a detent positioned to detain said cap in said chamber, said detent comprising a raised bead on said outer wall portion.

6. The container as recited in claim 1 wherein said outer wall portion includes a detent positioned to detain said cap in said chamber, said detent comprising a resilient flange on said outer wall portion.

7. The container as recited in claim 1 wherein said cap has a peripheralsurface adapted for frictional engagement with an inner surface of said outer wall portion to detain said cap in said chamber.

8. The container as recited in claim 1 wherein said cup is a one-piece molding.

9. A container for a particulate desiccant, said container comprising:
a cup member including spaced inner and outer wall portions connected by a transverse web portion to define a chamber having an opening; anda cap for receipt in said chamber, said cap having a hole for receiving said inner wall portion when said cap is received in said chamber; and first and second plies of permeable lining material for placement in said chamber to trap the particulate desiccant in said chamber;
a flange positioned about the periphery of said transverse web portion adapted for sealing engagement by bonding to said first ply of permeable lining material;
said cap having a flange positioned about the periphery of said cap adapted for sealing engagement by bonding to said second ply of permeable liningmaterial.

10. The container as recited in claim 9 wherein said transverse web portion and said cap include perforations therein.

11. The container as recited in claim 9 wherein said outer and inner wallportions are concentric cylinders.

12. The container as recited in claim 9 wherein said inner wall portion defines a passage open at either end on different sides of said container.

13. The container as recited in claim 9 wherein said outer wall portion includes a flared lip extending outwardly from said outer wall.

14. The container as recited in claim 9 wherein said outer wall portion includes a detent positioned to detain said cap in said chamber, said detent comprising a raised bead on said outer wall portion.

15. The container as recited in claim 9 wherein said outer wall portion includes a detent positioned to detain said cap in said chamber, said detent comprising a resilient flange on said outer wall portion.

16. The container as recited in claim 9 wherein said cap has a peripheralsurface adapted for frictional engagement with an inner surface of said outer wall portion to detain said cap in said chamber.

17. The container as recited in claim 9 wherein said cup is a one-piece molding.

18. A method for making a desiccant container comprising the steps of:
casting a one-piece cup member including an outer wall portion and a transverse web portion connected to define a chamber having an opening, providing a flange about the periphery of said transverse web portion;
bonding a ply of permeable lining material to said flange;
inserting desiccant particles within said chamber;
providing a cap member;
sliding said cap into said chamber and detaining said cap in said cup.

19. A desiccant container produced by the process recited in claim 18.

20. A method for making a desiccant container comprising the steps of:
casting a one-piece cup member including spaced inner and outer wall portions connected by a transverse web portion to define a chamber having an opening, providing a flange about the periphery of said transverse web portion;
providing a cap member having a flange about the periphery of said cap;
bonding first and second plies of permeable lining material to said flanges of said transverse web and said cap by ultrasonic welding;
inserting desiccant particles within said chamber;
sliding said cap into said chamber and detaining said cap in said cup.

21. A desiccant container produced by the process recited in claim 20.

22. A container for a particulate desiccant, said container comprising:
a cup member including spaced inner and outer wall portions connected by a transverse web portion to define a chamber having an opening; anda cap for receipt in said chamber, said cap having a hole for receiving said inner wall portion when said cap is received in said chamber; and first andsecond plies of permeable lining material for placement in said chamber to trap the particulate desiccant in said chamber;
said chamber having a first flange about the periphery of said transverse web portion and a second flange about the inner circumference of saidtransverse web portion adapted for sealing engagement by bonding to said first ply of permeable lining material;
said cap having a third flange about the periphery of said cap and a fourth flange about the inner circumference of said cap adapted for sealing engagement by bonding to said second ply of permeable lining material.

23. The container as recited in claim 22 wherein said transverse web portion and said cap include perforations therein.

24. The container as recited in claim 22 wherein said outer and inner wall portions are concentric cylinders.

25. The container as recited in claim 22 wherein said inner wall portion defines a passage open at either end on different sides of said container.

26. The container as recited in claim 22 wherein said outer wall portion includes a flared lip extending outwardly from said outer wall.

27. The container as recited in claim 22 wherein said outer wall portion includes a detent positioned to detain said cap in said chamber, said detent comprising a raised bead on said outer wall portion.

28. The container as recited in claim 22 wherein said outer wall portion includes a detent positioned to detain said cap in said chamber, said detent comprising a resilient flange on said outer wall portion.

29. The container as recited in claim 22 wherein said cap has a peripheral surface adapted for frictional engagement with an inner surface of said outer wall portion to detain said cap in said chamber.

30. The container as recited in claim 22 wherein said cup is a one-piece casting.

31. The container as recited in claim 22 wherein said inner wall portion has a stepped inner surface defining an intermediate flange for preventing a canister pipe from passing completely through said inner wall portion.

32. The container as recited in claim 22 wherein said inner wall portion includes a beveled inner end surface which tapers radially inwardly in a direction toward the transverse web portion to facilitate insertion of a canister pipe into said inner wall portion.

33. A container for a particulate desiccant, said container comprising:
a cup member including spaced inner and outer wall portions connected by a transverse web portion to define a chamber having an opening; anda cap for receipt in said chamber, said cap having a hole for receiving said inner wall portion when said cap is received in said chamber; and first andsecond plies of permeable lining material for placement in said chamber to trap the particulate desiccant in said chamber;
said chamber having a first flange about the periphery of said transverse web portion and a second flange about the inner circumference of saidtransverse web portion adapted for sealing engagement by bonding to said first ply of permeable lining material;
said cap having a third flange about the periphery of said cap and a fourth flange about the inner circumference of said cap adapted for sealing engagement by bonding to said second ply of permeable lining material;
said transverse web portion and said cap include perforations therein;
said outer and inner wall portions are concentric cylinders;
said inner wall portion defines a passage open at either end on different sides of said container;
said outer wall portion includes a flared lip extending outwardly from said outer wall;
said outer wall portion includes a detent positioned to detain said cap in said chamber;
said cap has a peripheral surface adapted for frictional engagement with an inner surface of said outer wall portion to detain said cap in said chamber;
said cup being a one-piece casting.

34. A container adapted for housing a desiccant material and a filter medium therein, said container comprising:
a cup member including an outer wall portion, an inner wall portion and a transverse wall portion connecting said inner wall portion and said outer wall portion to define a chamber to contain said desiccant, said chamber further including at least one raised surface portion protruding therein adapted for mounting by bonding to said filter medium thereon.

35. A container as recited in claim 34 wherein said at least one raised surface comprises a first flange formed in said transverse wall portion.

36. A container as recited in claim 35 wherein said first flange comprises an annularly shaped ridge.

37. A container as recited in claim 36 wherein said transverse wall portion comprises a second annularly shaped ridge spaced apart from and concentric to said first ridge.

38. A container as recited in claim 35 further comprising a cap, said caphaving a top side and an underneath side, said cap superposed over said cup whereby said cap underside closes said chamber, said cap underside also comprising a raised surface portion thereon for mounting said filter medium thereon.

39. A container as recited in claim 38 wherein said raised surface portion on said underside of said cap comprises a first annular ridge and a second annular ridge, said first and second annular ridges being concentric with respect to each other and radially spaced apart.

40. A container for a particulate desiccant, said container comprising:
a cup member including an outer wall portion and an inner wall portion, a transverse web portion connected to said outer wall portion and said inner wall portion to define a chamber having an opening;
a cap for receipt in said chamber;
first and second plies of permeable lining material for placement in said chamber to trap the particulate desiccant in said chamber;
said transverse web portion having a flange formed therein bonded to one of said plies of permeable lining material.

41. A container as recited in claim 40 wherein said flange is ultrasonically weld bonded to one of said plies of permeable lining material.

42. A container as recited in claim 40 wherein said flange is heat seal bonded to one of said plies of permeable lining material.

43. A container adapted for housing a desiccant material and a filter medium therein, said container comprising:
a cup member including an outer wall portion, an inner wall portion and a transverse wall portion connecting said inner wall portion and said outer wall portion to define a chamber to contain said desiccant, said chamber further including at least one raised surface portion protruding therein and bonded to said filtermedium thereon.

44. A container as recited in claim 43 wherein said medium flange is ultrasonically weld bonded to one of said filter medium.

45. A container as recited in claim 43 wherein said flange is heat seal bonded to one of said filter medium.