Subassembly for a double door transfer system with simplified manufacturing

Abstract

The present application relates to a sub-assembly for a double door transfer system with simplified manufacturing. For a sub-assembly of a double door sealed connection system between two closed spaces, the system comprising two doors and two flanges securable to each other, each door closing an opening delimited by the flanges in a normal state, the sub-assembly comprises a flange (120) and a seal (138) for providing a sealed contact between the flange (120) and the seal (138), between the seal (138) and the other flange of the connection system and between the seal (138) and the door (124) closing the opening of the flange, the flange (120) comprising a recess (140) and the seal (138) being a part molded onto the flange (120) and partially housed in the recess (140).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a sub-assembly for a double door transfer system with simplified manufacturing. BACKGROUND

[0002] In certain industrial sectors, such as the nuclear, pharmaceutical, medical and food sectors, it is necessary or desirable to perform certain tasks in a closed environment, in order to protect the environment, for example from radioactivity, toxicity, etc., or, conversely, to perform these tasks in a sterile or dust-free environment, or finally to achieve both cases simultaneously.

[0003] The transfer of equipment or products from one closed space to another closed space poses a difficult problem, in the case where the seal of each of these spaces with respect to the outside is not at any time broken. This problem can be solved by a double door connection device.

[0004] Such a double door device provided with multiple protection controls is known, for example, from document FR 2 695 343. Each space is closed by a door mounted in a flange. Each door is fixed to its flange by a bayonet connection, and the two flanges are intended to be fixed to each other by a bayonet connection.

[0005] For example, one of the closed spaces is formed by an isolator and the other space is formed by a container.

[0006] Generally, the connection parts carried by the isolator are designated alpha parts, and the connection parts carried by the container are designated beta parts.

[0007] The beta parts can be equipped with a rigid container, a bag or a sheath called "tube", for example for discharging waste. The tube is a flexible sheath, generally of great length, which can reach 30 meters, which is itself folded around a rigid body. The tube comprises a beta part mounted on the rigid body. The flexible sheath is gradually unwound to the desired length, then welded and cut. The tube can transfer waste or objects semi-continuously to the outside of the isolator without breaking the seal.

[0008] Seals are provided on the alpha parts and the beta parts to ensure the seal between the connected spaces.

[0009] The beta flange comprises a groove in which a gasket of the seal of the beta part is housed.

[0010] The seal of the beta part is intended to ensure simultaneously:

[0011] - the seal between the flange of the beta part and the door of the beta part,

[0012] - the seal between the beta flange and the alpha flange, and

[0013] - the tightness between the beta flange and the gasket of the seal.

[0014] The assembly of the gasket of the seal in the groove of the flange is important because it depends in particular on the tightness between the gasket and the flange. The assembly operation is tricky because the gasket can be twisted during the assembly.

[0015] The assembly operation can therefore be difficult and long, which increases the production costs. Moreover, in the case of applications in the pharmaceutical field, the bags or containers equipped with the beta part are manufactured in a clean room, which makes the assembly of the seal in the flange even more complex.

[0016] Moreover, there is a risk that the seal can come out of the groove, in particular during a high-pressure sterilization cycle. The flange must therefore be designed to prevent this phenomenon. SUMMARY

[0017] It is therefore an object of the present application to provide a subassembly of a double-door transfer system with simplified manufacturing.

[0018] The above object is achieved by a subassembly for a double-door transfer system, comprising a flange for being closed by a door and a tightness seal fixed to the flange, the subassembly being manufactured at least partially by overmoulding.

[0019] There is then no longer any operation of assembly of the seal in the flange, thus eliminating the risk of assembly defects. The time necessary for manufacturing the beta part is then reduced. The risk of leakage is also reduced.

[0020] In one example, the flange is manufactured beforehand and comprises the groove, then the seal is moulded onto the flange. Very advantageously, the groove comprises a passage at its bottom, through which the material of the seal can flow, thus enabling improved fixing of the seal on the flange.

[0021] In an advantageous example, the O-ring seal is clamped onto the radial inner wall of the groove of the flange before assembly, which further improves the tightness between the flange and the seal.

[0022] In another exemplary embodiment, the seal is manufactured beforehand and the flange is moulded onto the seal.

[0023] Thus, one subject of the application is a sub-assembly for a double door sealed connection system between two closed spaces, said system comprising two doors and two flanges securable to each other, each door closing, in a normal state, an opening delimited by a flange, said sub-assembly comprising a flange and a seal for providing a sealed contact between the flange and the seal, between the seal and the other flange of the connection system and between the seal and the door closing the opening of said flange, said seal being a part molded onto said flange or said flange being a part molded onto said seal.

[0024] In an advantageous example, the flange comprises a groove around a central opening of the flange, said groove housing a portion of the seal.

[0025] For example, the flange comprises at least one channel such that the material of the seal extends between the inside of the flange and the radially outer surface of the flange.

[0026] Advantageously, the at least one channel connects the inside of the groove to the radially outer surface of the flange.

[0027] In one example, the material of the seal on the radially outer surface of the flange can form a ring entirely surrounding the flange.

[0028] In another example, the material of the seal on the radially outer surface of the flange forms a sleeve entirely surrounding the flange.

[0029] Preferably, the sub-assembly comprises at least one O-ring seal clamped on a radially inner longitudinal wall of the groove, the seal being molded onto the flange and the O-ring seal. Advantageously, the seal and the O-ring seal are made of the same material.

[0030] For example, the flange is made of a thermoplastic polymer and the seal is made of a thermoset polymer or a thermoplastic polymer.

[0031] Another subject of the application is a transfer device for a double door sealed connection system comprising a sub-assembly according to the application and a container sealedly secured to the flange.

[0032] In one example, the container is rigid and integral with the flange.

[0033] In another example, the container is flexible and attached to the flange. The flexible container can be a sheath.

[0034] Another subject of the application is a method for manufacturing a sub-assembly according to the application, the method comprising:

[0035] - providing a flange,

[0036] - installing a mold on the flange, the final shape of the seal being defined by the flange,

[0037] - injecting a plastic material of the seal into the mold and / or on the flange,

[0038] - hardening said material,

[0039] - extracting the sub-assembly from the mold.

[0040] The manufacturing method can comprise manufacturing the flange by molding a thermoplastic material.

[0041] Another subject of the application is a method for manufacturing a sub-assembly according to the application, the method comprising:

[0042] - providing a seal,

[0043] - installing a mold on at least one part of the seal, the final shape of the flange being defined by the seal,

[0044] - injecting a plastic material of the flange into the mold and / or on the seal,

[0045] - hardening said material,

[0046] - extracting the sub-assembly from the mold.

[0047] The method can comprise manufacturing the seal by molding a thermoplastic or thermoset polymer material.

[0048] Another subject of the application is a method for manufacturing a sub-assembly according to the application by double injection, the method comprising:

[0049] - providing at least one mold defining the final external shape of the sub-assembly,

[0050] - injecting a first material of the flange or of the seal into the mold,

[0051] - hardening said first material,

[0052] - injecting a second material of the seal or of the flange into the mold,

[0053] - hardening said second material,

[0054] - extracting the sub-assembly from said mold. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0055] The application will be better understood in light of the following description and the attached drawings, in which:

[0056] Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically illustrating the connection of a container on a compartment by a bayonet type double door sealing transfer device.

[0057] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a double door transfer system, a prior art beta component being mounted on an alpha component.

[0058] Figure 3A is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a sub-assembly of a beta component according to the invention.

[0059] Figure 3B is a detailed view of Figure 3A .

[0060] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a sub-assembly of Figure 3A .

[0061] Figure 5 is a perspective plan view of a flange of a sub-assembly of Figure 3A , the seal not being shown.

[0062] Figure 6 is a perspective side view of a variant of a sub-assembly of Figure 3A .

[0063] Figure 7 is a perspective view of another example of a sub-assembly according to the invention.

[0064] Figure 8 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of another example of a sub-assembly according to the invention.

[0065] Figure 9 is a longitudinal cross-sectional detailed view of another example of a sub-assembly according to the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0066] Figure 1 shows a schematic view of an example of a double door transfer system.

[0067] In the following description, the two closed spaces whose tightness is intended to be tested before the connection is made respectively correspond to the isolator 10 and the container 12. However, it should be understood that the invention also applies to the case where the closed spaces are, non-limitingly, for example, glove boxes, and to the case where the closed spaces are another container or glove box.

[0068] The isolator 10 is delimited by a wall 14, a portion of which is visible in Figure 1 . Generally, this isolator is equipped with, for example, a remote operating device and / or a remote handling device (not shown) fixed to the wall 14, by means of which centralized control mechanisms can be handled from the inside of the compartment 10. The container 12 is also delimited by a wall 16, in particular as shown in Figure 1 .

[0069] The double-door sealed transfer device mainly comprises an isolator flange 18, a container flange 20, an isolator door 22 which normally closes a circular opening defined by the isolator flange 18, and a container door 24 which normally closes an opening defined by the container flange 20. The isolator flange 18 and the container flange 20 are respectively attached to the wall 14 of the compartment 10 and to the wall 16 of the container 12. In this example, the door of the isolator 22 is hinged on the isolator flange 18 by a hinge 26.

[0070] The device, generally designated by reference 28, makes it possible to control the opening and closing of the doors 22 and 24.

[0071] For example, the container door 24 is attached to the container flange 20 by a bayonet joint 30, as described in document FR 2 695 343. For example, in order to enable the container flange 20 to be fixed to the isolator flange 18 and the container door 24 to be fixed to the isolator door 22, the double-door sealed transfer system also comprises two other bayonet joints, respectively designated by references 32 and 34. The three bayonet joints 30, 32 and 34 are arranged so that, after the container flange 20 is arranged against the isolator flange 18, a rotation of the container 12 about its axis, for example in the clockwise direction, has the effect of fixing the container flange 20 and the isolator flange 18 together, of fixing the container door 24 and the isolator door 22 together, and of disengaging the container door 24 from the container flange 20. These last two operations are carried out consecutively, so that the container is opened only after the container door 24 has been disengaged from the isolator door 22 to form a double door.

[0072] The assembly formed by the isolator flange and the isolator door is generally referred to as the "alpha component". The assembly formed by the container flange and the container door is generally referred to as the "beta component".

[0073] Generally, the double-door transfer system has rotational symmetry about an axis X which is the axis of the isolator flange.

[0074] Figure 2 A detailed view of the double-door system in the locked phase is shown, with the beta component mounted on the alpha component. The alpha component comprises a seal 36 mounted on the outer periphery of the isolator door 22. The seal 36 is in contact with the alpha flange and the container door of the beta component. The beta component comprises a seal 38 mounted on the flange 20 which delimits the opening closed by the container door 24. The seal 38 is in contact with the container door 24 of the beta component and with the front face of the isolator flange 18.

[0075] The invention is particularly suitable for a beta component comprising, for example, a rigid container, a flexible bag or a sheath.

[0076] Figure 3AA longitudinal section view showing an exemplary embodiment of a flange 120 of a beta component forming a beta component sub-assembly according to the application and of a seal is shown, and Figure 3B A detailed view of Figure 3A is shown. Figure 4 A perspective view of the flange Figure 3A of the flange without the door is shown. Figure 5 The flange before the seal is molded thereon is shown.

[0077] In this example, the connection between the door 124 and the flange 120 is a bayonet connection, and the connection between the flange 120 and the alpha component is also of the bayonet type. These connections are not limiting. Connection means by clipping or clamping are also suitable.

[0078] The flange 120 has a shape of a solid of revolution around an axis X'.

[0079] The flange 120 comprises a first portion 120.1 comprising connection means of the alpha component, and means cooperating with the door (not shown) to achieve a sealed mounting thereof in the flange 120, and a second portion 120.2, which in the example shown is tubular, which extends the first portion 120.1 and serves to attach a container, which can be rigid in the case of a rigid container, or flexible in the case of a bag, or to attach a sheath, for example to produce a tube. In Figure 4 In the bag S attached to the second portion 120.2 of the flange 120 is shown schematically.

[0080] The flange 120 is provided with a seal 138 for providing sealing between the flange 120 and the door 124 and between the flange 120 and the alpha component.

[0081] The flange 120 comprises a groove 140 formed in the first portion 120.1 and surrounding the opening of the container flange 120. The groove 140 appears in the face for contact with the alpha component. The groove 140 comprises a radially inner wall 140.1, a radially outer wall 140.2 and a bottom 140.3.

[0082] The radially inner wall 140.1 and the radially outer wall 140.2 enable the positioning of the seal 138 with respect to the door 14.

[0083] The seal 138 is annular and comprises a first portion 138.1 housed in the groove and a second portion 138.2 protruding from the groove, and serves to contact radially with the door and longitudinally with the flange of the isolator.

[0084] In the example shown and advantageously, the bottom 140.3 of the groove 140 is pierced with a hole 142 which passes through the bottom 140.3 and emerges towards the outside (Figure 5 ). In one example, the seal 138 is manufactured by molding onto the flange. The material of the seal is partially injected into the recess. In this example, the material of the seal 138 flows through the hole 142 in the bottom 140.3 and forms a ring 143 around the second portion 120.2 of the flange. The fixation of the seal on the flange is then greatly enhanced.

[0085] In the example shown, the recess 140 comprises concentric tubular walls 140.1 and 140.2. In one variant, the walls and / or the bottom have a shape that facilitates the attachment of the material of the seal in the recess and improves the sealing.

[0086] By way of example, the beta flange is made of a plastic material, advantageously of a thermoplastic material, for example PE (polyethylene), PC (polycarbonate), PSU (polysulfone), PP (polypropylene), a styrene acrylic copolymer, for example POM (polyoxymethylene) sold under the name DELRIN® by DuPont, PET-G (glycolized polyethylene terephthalate), PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride), ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) or PBT (polybutylene terephthalate).

[0087] Preferably, the seal 138 is made of an elastomer, for example a thermoset silicone, a thermoset EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer), a thermoset LSR (liquid silicone rubber), a thermoplastic elastomer or PVC (polyvinyl chloride).

[0088] Preferably, the materials used to manufacture the flange and the seal are chosen so that a chemical bond can appear between the material of the seal and the material of the flange. For example, the flange is made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and the seal is made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC). According to another example, the flange is made of a material containing styrene, for example or ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) or polystyrene and the seal is made of thermoplastic styrene elastomer (TEP-S). According to another example, the flange is made of polyethylene and the seal is made of non-vulcanized thermoplastic olefin elastomer (TEP-O). According to another example, the flange is made of polypropylene and the seal is made of vulcanized thermoplastic olefin elastomer (TEP-V). According to another example, the flange is made of polyurethane and the seal is made of thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer (TEP-U). According to another example, the flange is made of a polyester, for example glycolized polyethylene terephthalate (PET-G) or polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) and the seal is made of thermoplastic copolyester (TPE-E).

[0089] An example of a manufacturing method will be described.

[0090] A first example of a manufacturing method comprises:​

[0091] - providing a beta flange 120,

[0092] - arranging a mold (not shown) on the flange 120, defining the complete form of the seal by the recess,

[0093] - overmolding the seal by injecting the material of the seal into the mold and the recess 140,

[0094] - curing the seal 138, for example by heating at a temperature at least equal to the cross-linking temperature in the case of a thermoset material. The material of the flange is then chosen to be able to withstand the cross-linking temperature.

[0095] For example, the flange is made of polyethylene and the seal is made of silicone.

[0096] In this example, advantageously, the flange forms part of the mold of the seal.

[0097] In the example of Figure 3A In the example of

[0098] The flange 120 can be manufactured by molding, for example of a thermoplastic material. Advantageously, in the case of a manufacturing a container, the flange and the container are manufactured in one piece by molding. In the case of a bag, the bag is attached to the flange, for example by welding, or molded onto the flange.

[0099] A second example of a manufacturing method comprises:

[0100] - providing a seal,

[0101] - arranging the seal in a mold of the flange,

[0102] - injecting the material of the flange into the mold, so as to mold the flange onto the seal,

[0103] - hardening the material of the flange.

[0104] The seal is manufactured, for example by molding.

[0105] Preferably, the seal, in particular the first part of the seal, has a shape that is advantageous for fixing the flange on the seal and for the sealability between the flange and the seal. The advantage of this second example is to be able to implement a seal whose first part has a complex shape that is particularly advantageous for good fixing of the flange.

[0106] In this example, it can be envisaged that the first part of the seal comprises a through channel able to make the material of the flange flow through and thus form a fixing through the seal.

[0107] The moulds used are, for example, moulds made of steel or aluminium alloy.

[0108] In another example, the flange and the seal can be manufactured by double material injection, the material of the flange being injected into a tool defining the shape of the flange, then the material of the seal being injected into the same tool.

[0109] Various double injection moulding techniques exist which are suitable for manufacturing the sub-assembly according to the application using different mould types. For example, one of these techniques uses a transfer mould in which the part is transferred manually or by robot into the same mould for the second injection. Another of these techniques uses a mould with a rotating platen, during which the partially movable mould is rotated by 180 degrees in order to place the first moulding in the cavity of the second material. This rotation is provided by the platen of the press. Another technique uses a rotating base mould which uses the same principle as the rotating platen mould, but the rotating mechanism is in the mould. The partially movable cavity is uncovered from the frame and is rotated by half a turn before returning to its housing. Another of these techniques uses a sliding cam mould or a sliding gate mould in which the space for the second injection is released by the movement of the core.

[0110] Manufacturing the flange of the beta part equipped with a seal according to the application is faster than according to the methods of the prior art. Furthermore, the risk of a sealing defect resulting from the installation of the seal is eliminated. In addition, the risk of the seal coming out of the flange is also eliminated.

[0111] The application also makes it possible to avoid having to manage the stock of parts to be assembled.

[0112] Figure 6 A variant embodiment of the flange and seal assembly of Figure 3A is shown, in which the mould makes the material of the seal beyond the hole 142 form a sleeve 144 which covers a part of the second portion 120.2. A container door 124 closing the central passage of the flange is shown.

[0113] The sleeve 144 reinforces the fixing of the seal on the flange and can serve as a support for lettering, for example the model number and / or the date of manufacture of the beta part. The lettering can be hollow and / or in relief and is made directly during the moulding or overmoulding and / or attached, for example by printing.

[0114] Figure 7 A variant embodiment of the flange and seal assembly of Figure 6a bag S is welded directly onto the sleeve 144. In a variant, the bag is welded onto the ring 143 Figure 3A and 3B ).

[0115] This exemplary embodiment simplifies the container and therefore the manufacturing method, not only in relation to the material of the flange, since the compatibility of the material between the second portion 120.2 of the flange and the bag S is no longer required, but also in relation to the shape of the flange, since the second portion 120.2 of the flange can be greatly shortened.

[0116] For example, the seal is made of thermoplastic elastomer and the bag is made of a polymer of the same family. For example, the seal is made of thermoplastic polyethylene elastomer (TPE-E) and the bag is made of polyethylene (PE). According to another example, the seal is made of thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer (TPE-U) and the bag is made of polyurethane (PU).

[0117] Figure 8 Another advantageous example of a beta flange provided with its seal is shown, which further improves the sealing between the seal and the flange.

[0118] In this example, the O-ring seal 146 is mounted in the groove. The O-ring seal 146 is mounted clamped against the radially inner wall of the groove. The seal is then overmoulded onto the flange and the O-ring seal.

[0119] Preferably, the O-ring seal 146 and the overmoulded seal are made of the same material.

[0120] The use of the O-ring seal makes it possible to improve the sealing between the seal and the flange. The O-ring seal exerts a permanent extrusion force on the flange, which makes it possible to maintain the sealing. If a leak passage is formed between the seal and the flange, it will be interrupted by the O-ring seal.

[0121] A plurality of O-ring seals can be used at a plurality of longitudinal positions in the groove.

[0122] The flange and seal subassembly of the alpha component and / or the door and seal subassembly of the alpha component can also be manufactured by overmoulding.

[0123] In the same way, if the door of the beta component requires a seal, the door and seal subassembly can be manufactured by overmoulding.

[0124] The use of overmoulding makes it possible to avoid the operation of assembling the seal on the flange, which can damage the seal and lead to insufficient sealing and therefore to the scrapping of the beta component.

[0125] This reduces the manufacturing time and makes the manufacturing more reliable. Moreover, in the case of clean room manufacturing, the technology makes it possible to more easily cope with the requirements related to the controlled environment, for example, the particle level and the microbial load.

[0126] Moreover, since the seal is fixed in the flange, the obtained beta part is more reliable, achieves a better retention of the seal in the flange and enhances the tightness between the seal and its flange.

[0127] The risk of seal extraction found when using a beta part of the prior art during the autoclaving phase is eliminated. The means for reducing the risk of extraction can be omitted, which reduces the complexity of the flange.

[0128] According to Figure 9 According to another exemplary embodiment, illustrated in figure 2, the flange 120 comprises a recess 150 adjacent to the opening of the flange. The through radial channel 148 is formed in the flange 120 and provides the fixation of the seal 138 on the flange. This variant simplifies the shape of the part of the container flange 120.1 and thus the design of the flange mold. According to another exemplary embodiment, illustrated in figure 2, the flange 120 comprises a recess 150 adjacent to the opening of the flange. The through radial channel 148 is formed in the flange 120 and provides the fixation of the seal 138 on the flange. This variant simplifies the shape of the part of the container flange 120.1 and thus the design of the flange mold. According to another exemplary embodiment, illustrated in figure 2, the flange 120 comprises a recess 150 adjacent to the opening of the flange. The through radial channel 148 is formed in the flange 120 and provides the fixation of the seal 138 on the flange. This variant simplifies the shape of the part of the container flange 120.1 and thus the design of the flange mold.

Claims

1. Sub-assembly for a double door sealing connection system between two closed spaces, the double door sealing connection system comprising two doors and a first and a second flange (120, 18) that can be fixed to each other, each door closing in normal conditions an opening delimited by the first or the second flange, the sub-assembly comprising a seal (138) configured to provide a sealing contact between the first flange (120) and the seal (138), between the seal (138) and the second flange (18) and between the seal (138) and the door (124) closing the opening of the first flange, the seal (138) being a component molded onto the first flange (120) or the first flange (120) being a component molded onto the seal (138), wherein, The first flange (120) comprises a groove (140) around a central opening of the first flange, the groove housing a portion of the seal (138), the groove having a bottom (140.3) comprising a plurality of holes (142) connecting an interior of the groove (140) to a radially outer surface of the first flange (120) such that material of the seal extends between the interior of the first flange (120) and the radially outer surface of the first flange (120).

2. The subassembly of claim 1, wherein, The material of the seal (138) on the radially outer surface of the first flange (120) forms a ring (143) completely surrounding the first flange (120).

3. The sub-assembly of claim 1 or 2, wherein, The material of the seal (138) on the radially outer surface of the first flange (120) forms a sleeve (144) completely surrounding the first flange (120).

4. The subassembly of claim 1 or 2, wherein, The sub-assembly comprises at least one O-ring seal (146) clamped on a radially inner longitudinal wall (140.1) of the groove (140), the seal (138) being molded onto the first flange (120) and the O-ring seal (146).

5. The subassembly of claim 4, wherein, The seal (138) and the O-ring seal (146) are made of the same material.

6. The subassembly of claim 1 or 2, wherein, The first flange (120) is made of a thermoplastic polymer and the seal is made of a thermoset or thermoplastic polymer.

7. Transfer device for a double door sealing connection system, wherein The double-gate sealing connection system comprises a sub-assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and a container sealingly fixed to the first flange.

8. The transfer device of claim 7, wherein, The container is rigid and integral with the first flange.

9. The transfer device of claim 7, wherein, The container is flexible and attached to the first flange.

10. The transfer device of claim 9, wherein, The flexible container is a sheath.

11. Manufacturing method for manufacturing a sub-assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the manufacturing method comprising: - providing a first flange (120), - mounting a mold on the first flange (120), the mold defining a final shape of a seal, - injecting a plastic material of the seal into the mold and / or onto the first flange, - hardening the material, - extracting the sub-assembly from the mold.

12. Manufacturing method according to claim 11, the manufacturing method comprising manufacturing the first flange by molding a thermoplastic material.

13. Manufacturing method for manufacturing a sub-assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the manufacturing method comprising: - providing a seal (138), - arranging a mold on at least a portion of the seal, the mold defining a final shape of a first flange, - injecting a plastic material of the first flange into the mold and / or onto the seal, - hardening the material, - extracting the sub-assembly from the mold.

14. Manufacturing method according to claim 13, the manufacturing method comprising manufacturing the seal by molding a thermoplastic or thermoset polymer material.

15. Method for manufacturing a sub-assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6 by double injection, the method comprising: - providing at least one mold defining a final outer shape of the sub-assembly, - injecting a first material of a first flange or seal into the mold, - hardening the first material, - injecting a second material of the seal or of the first flange into the mold, - hardening the second material, - ejecting the sub-assembly from the mold.

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