Abstract: An evaporative emissions canister for use in an automotive evaporative emission system to control emission of fuel vapors to the atmosphere. The canister includes an integrally molded housing having a circumferential side member, a top member and a bottom member; a hydrocarbon-adsorbing material disposed therein so as to provide a vapor adsorbent chamber for adsorbing hydrocarbon fuel vapor flowing therethrough; and an internal membrane located above the vapor adsorbent chamber in the fresh air side of the adsorbent chamber for preventing the fuel vapor molecules from passing through the internal membrane while allowing the air molecules to pass therethrough. The internal membrane is characterized as a cellular fibular material having physical properties sufficient to effectively cause any fuel vapor component molecules and associated pollutants to be sufficiently filtered or separated on the membrane while allowing fresh air molecules to pass freely therethrough.

Abstract: An evaporative emissions system is used in an automotive evaporative emission system including a fuel tank coupled to an automotive engine to control emission of fuel vapors to the atmosphere. The system includes an evaporative emissions canister comprising a first molded housing having a circumferential side member, a top member and a bottom member; a hydrocarbon-adsorbing material disposed therein so as to provide a vapor adsorbent chamber for adsorbing hydrocarbon fuel vapor flowing therethrough; and an auxiliary housing containing a carbon-coated reticulated material, the reticulated housing located in the fresh air line of the evaporative emissions canister for preventing fuel vapor molecules from passing through the carbon-coated reticulated material while allowing the air molecules to pass therethrough. A method is provided for preventing or reducing hydrocarbon emissions to the atmosphere.

Abstract: An evaporative emissions system is used in an automotive evaporative emission system including a fuel tank coupled to an automotive engine to control emission of fuel vapors to the atmosphere. The system includes (1) an evaporative emissions canister comprising a unitary molded housing having a circumferential side member, a top member and a bottom member; a hydrocarbon-adsorbing material disposed therein so as to provide a vapor adsorbent chamber for adsorbing hydrocarbon fuel vapor flowing therethrough; and (2) a second housing containing a membrane, the second housing located adjacent the fresh air line of the evaporative emissions canister for preventing fuel vapor molecules and pollutants associated therewith, from passing through the membrane while allowing the air molecules to pass therethrough. A method is provided for preventing or substantially reducing hydrocarbon emissions to the atmosphere.

Abstract: An evaporative emissions canister is used in an automotive evaporative emission system to separate liquid fuel entrained with fuel vapor and to control emission of fuel vapors to the atmosphere, the system including a fuel tank coupled to an automotive engine. The canister includes an integrally molded housing having side walls, a top wall and a bottom wall; a hydrocarbon-adsorbing material disposed therein so as to provide a vapor adsorbent chamber for adsorbing hydrocarbon fuel vapor flowing therethrough; and a liquid-fuel trap located above the vapor adsorbent chamber for separating fuel vapor and liquid fuel. A method is provided for preventing or reducing hydrocarbon emissions to the atmosphere.

Abstract: A fuel vapor storage canister comprising an elongate housing, an activated carbon bed, and a volume compensator of resilient, air-permeable foam. The foam volume compensator maintains the canister volume and the position of the activated carbon component, which enables proper adsorption of vapors in the fuel vapor storage canister.

Abstract: A fuel vapor storage canister is provided. The canister includes a vapor storage chamber of variable volume, a partition, vapor adsorbing material, and a volume compensator. The partition is movable within the canister and partially defines the vapor storage chamber. The vapor adsorbing material is located in the vapor storage chamber. The volume compensator includes a spring having at least three legs that are deflected by and exert pressure against the movable partition to control the volume of the vapor storage chamber. In one embodiment, the legs of the spring may be evenly spaced to exert a balanced pressure. The spring may include two pairs of opposing legs, where the spring rate between the pairs of legs may vary. The spring may be comprised of two angularly offset band springs and may be formed from a unitary member.