MXPA98009095A - Seal to seal an abert - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a seal for sealing an opening in an object, through which opening one or more elongated articles extend, which comprises: (a) at least two pressing members, (b) at least two members of seal to seal the opening, at least part of at least one of which is located, in use, between at least two of the pressing members, and (c) a compression element for compressing the seal members in the use, moving the seal members closer together, whereby the seal is configured in such a way that, in use, the or each elongated article extends between at least two of the stamp members, with the members of seal adjacent to each other in a lateral direction with respect to the direction in which the elongated articles extend, and being configured to form a sealing contact with each other, and with the or each elongated article, when compressed by the elongate article. compression ratio

Description

SEAL TO SEAL AN OPENING The present invention relates to a seal for sealing an opening in an object, through which opening one or more elongated articles extend. For example, elongated articles may be cables (fiber optic cables or electrical conductive cables), optical fibers (including "rugose" optical fibers, such as patch cords or flexible cables), or electrical conductors (e.g., wires). The seal can also be used with ducts, tubes, or the like. The invention also relates to a closed container for containing one or more splices or connections of optical fiber or electric conductor, including the container, in one of its walls, at least one of these seals. The invention also relates to a method for sealing an opening in an object. U.S. Patent No. 4,267,401 discloses a seal plug for conduits, the seal plug having a buffer core that includes at least one radially expandable seal member to seal the conduit where it is disposed while allows the passage of cables or the like through it. Until the cable or cables are required, the passages in the seal buffer are closed by removable bolt inserts, retaining elements being provided to stop the inserts in place. The tampon includes a longitudinal compression element for placing the seal member in sealing contact with the wall of the conduit. Each passage can be opened towards the circumference of the respective seal member by means of slots, to allow lateral insertion of the cable therein. The inventors of the present invention have now developed a new seal having a simpler construction, which is easier to install, and which provides sealing performance at least as good, or preferably better, than the stamp buffer of the Patent. of the United States of America Number US 4,267,401. The new seal of the invention can preferably also be used to seal a greater number of elongated articles than the stamp buffer of US Pat. No. 4,267,401. According to a first aspect, the invention provides a seal for sealing an opening in an object, through which opening one or more elongated articles extend, which comprises: (a) at least two pressing members; (b) at least two seal members to seal the opening, at least part of at least one of which is, in use, between at least two of the pressing members; and (c) a compression element for compressing the seal members in use, moving the pressure members closer together; whereby, the seal is configured in such a way that, in use, the or each elongate article extends between at least two of the seal members, the seal members being located one adjacent to the other in a lateral direction with respect to the direction in which the elongate articles extend, and being configured to form a sealing contact with each other, and with the or each elongated article, when compressed by the compression element. The two or more seal members are each preferably separate parts that come together in use. However, in some modalities, stamp members (or at least two stamp members) can join together (including joining to form as a single integral part). For example, one or more fabrics or other joining pieces may join the seal members. Examples of some of the types of elongated articles with which the seal of the invention may be used were mentioned above. The seal can be used, for example, as a conduit seal (that is, to block and seal the inside of the conduit). It can also be used as a gusset or the so-called "crossed feeding" on a wall, for example, a screen. For example, the seal can be used as a feed traversed in a car or in another vehicle (can also be used in boats, airplanes, etc.). A specific use, for example, can be like a feed traversed in a screen between the engine compartment and the passenger compartment of a car or other vehicle. However, the intended intended use of the seal by the applicant is in a closed container to contain splices or fiber optic or electrical connections, or the like. For example, the container may be a box or other enclosure, for example, the so-called "junction box". The container may enclose one or more fiber optic organizers, for example. According to a second aspect, therefore, the invention provides a closed container for containing one or more splices or connections of optical fiber or electric conductor, including the container, on one of its walls, at least one seal according to the first aspect of the invention. The container can be supplied with the previously installed seals, but preferably it will be supplied with the seals as one or more separate items to be installed when they are used. The openings may be present in the container as supplied, or may be made only at the time of installation. For example, the walls of the container may have one or more removable portions, which may be removed (e.g., cut) to provide the required openings. The seal has the advantage that, because the elongate articles extend between at least two seal members that are located one adjacent to the other in a lateral direction with respect to the direction in which the elongate articles extend, and that they form a sealing contact with one another and with the elongated articles, when compressed by the compression element, the need to use bolt inserts or other plugs (as required in the stamp buffer of the United States Patent) is eliminated. United States of America Number US 4,267,401, for example). Instead, due to the novel and inventive construction of the seal according to the invention, for substantially any number of items elongated from scratch, ie, no elongated article (up to the maximum number of articles suitable for each particular stamp, normally an airtight seal can be obtained simply by compressing the seal members, i.e. by moving the pressure members closer together by means of the compression element.Therefore, an opening can normally be sealed in this simple manner, either have 0, or 1, 2, 3, 4, etc. (up to the required maximum) elongated items extending through it. The maximum number of elongated articles that can accommodate a particularly preferred seal according to the invention is 24. For example, this seal can accommodate up to 24 optical fibers (especially "rugose" optical fibers for example, flexible conductors or patch cords). ). Of course, other stamps can accommodate different maximum numbers of elongated items (eg, 6, 8, 10, 12, 20, 30, 40, 48). According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the seal members comprise: (i) at least one outer seal member which, in use, is located on the periphery of the opening, to form a sealing contact with the object; and (ii) at least one internal seal member that, in use, is laterally (eg, radially) within the outer seal member. Preferably, the or each outer seal member is, or the external seal members in combination are in the form of a substantially circular or oval ring. The or each internal seal member preferably has, or internal seal members in combination preferably have a substantially circular or oval side periphery. More preferably, the seal may have a single annular outer seal member (e.g., an O-ring), or one or two internal seal members, e.g., in the form of a disk or ring (or may have at least two semicircular internal seal members, for example). For example, there may be a single internal seal member, or alternatively there may be at least two (preferably only two) internal seal members, each of which may conveniently be attached to a respective pressure member. In embodiments where there are two or more internal seal members, preferably they are longitudinally (with respect to the elongate articles) adjacent to each other in use, and have a combined effect of a single larger internal seal member (in the longitudinal direction). The internal diameter of the outer seal members preferably is at least as large as, or no greater than, 5 millimeters, preferably not more than 3 millimeters, greater than the outer diameter of the inner seal members, when the members of seal are in a relaxed state without deforming. The or each outer seal member preferably has at least one groove or other locating element at its outer lateral periphery, to locate the outer seal member in the opening. The groove, for example, may have a generally U-shaped or V-shaped cross section. At least one, and preferably each, seal pressure member, preferably has one or more openings in it, through of which, in use, elongate articles extend. The one or more apertures preferably comprise one or more slots in which, in use, elongate articles can be inserted. The or each preferential groove is open towards, and extends from, the lateral periphery of the pressing member. Conveniently, at least one of the pressing members, preferably each pressing member, can further comprise a retaining member that can be attached to the outer lateral periphery of the pressing member, to close the slots, and from this way to retain one or more elongated articles inserted in the slots. It is believed that this preferred aspect of the invention is novel and inventive in its own right. In accordance with the foregoing, a third aspect of the invention provides a seal for sealing an opening in an object, through which opening one or more elongated articles extend, which comprises: (a) at least two pressure members, at least one of which contains one or more grooves in which, in use, the elongated articles may be inserted, opening the or each groove, and extending from, the outer lateral periphery of the pressure member; (b) at least one seal member for sealing the opening, at least part of which is located, in use, between at least two of the pressing members; (c) a compression element for compressing the seal members in use, moving the pressure members closer together; and (d) at least one retention member, which can be attached to the outer lateral periphery of the pressure member containing one or more slots, to close the slots and thereby retain the one or more elongate articles inserted in the recesses. grooves The seal of preference includes at least two pressure members, each of which contains the slots. Preferably, the seal also includes at least two retaining members, each of which can be attached to the outer lateral periphery of a respective pressure member. In the preferred embodiments of both the third and the first aspects of the invention, each pressing member has a substantially circular external lateral periphery, and each retaining member preferably has a substantially circular internal lateral periphery. Each retaining member preferably includes a groove, through which, in use, at least one elongated article can be passed, for the purpose of inserting the elongate article into the groove of the pressing member with which the member is attached. The retention member can preferably be moved, for example in a slidable manner, with respect to the pressing member, so that the slot can be placed adjacent to each of a plurality of slots at the same time, to allow in this way a plurality of inserts at a time. This has the advantage that each elongated item can be inserted into, and retained in, its respective slot at a time. The accidental displacement of an elongate article from its correct slot during seal installation is thus substantially prevented. Each retention member of preference has a substantially annular shape. More preferably, they comprise a slotted ring. The groove of each retaining member is preferably no wider than the width of the grooves of the pressing member. The retaining members of preference are elastically flexible, and in this way, the groove of each retaining member can preferably be opened (preferably manually) in order to pass (or assist in passing) an elongated article through it. , and into a groove of the pressure member. The slot can conveniently be bevelled, in order to facilitate the elastic opening of the slot when an elongate article is passed through it. In some embodiments, the retention members may be spring-loaded, for example, they may be forced in an elastic manner against the pressing members. Each retaining member of preference can be attached to its respective pressure member, at least one groove being located within, and / or on, at least one protrusion on the outer lateral periphery of the pressing member. Each retention member can contribute in a convenient manner to the compression of at least one of the seal members, preferably at least one external seal member, by acting as a lateral extension of the pressure member to which the retention member joins. . This may have the advantage of providing a substantially uniform compression force to the external seal member. According to a fourth aspect, the invention provides a method for sealing an opening in an object, through which opening one or more elongated articles extend, by means of a seal according to the preferred embodiments of the first or third aspects. of the invention, which comprises: (a) inserting the or each elongate article into a respective slot of at least one, preferably in each, pressure member; (b) inserting seal members in the opening; AND (c) compressing the seal members between the pressing members, moving the pressing members closer together by means of the compression element. Step (b) may be performed before step (a), but preferably step (a) is performed before step (b), which is. perform before step (c). The step (a) preferably further includes retaining the or each elongated article in its respective slot in the pressing members, by means of a retaining member attached to the outer lateral periphery of the or each pressure member. Conveniently, this step may comprise placing the slit of the retention member adjacent a slot, passing the or each elongated article through the slit, and inserting it into the slot, and moving, for example, slipping, the slit member. retention with respect to the pressing member, in order to move the slit away from the slot. Preferably, a plurality of elongate articles are inserted, and are retained in each pressure member, and the method further comprises repeating step (a) for each elongate article at a time. The compression element of the seal according to the invention, preferably comprises at least one connection member extending between, and interconnecting, the pressure members. The compression element preferably comprises a single axially central connection member. The connecting members can conveniently be threaded (for example, a screw), with a screw-threaded fastening member (for example, a nut, especially a wing nut or the like) screwed thereon. However, any of several different types of compression elements can be used, including instantaneous adjustment systems, and "twist and secure" systems. The compression element may include an elastic element (e.g., one or more springs or the like) to apply a forced compression to the seal members. Stamp seal members according to the invention can be formed from any one or more of a variety of sealing materials. Elastomers are preferred, including natural or synthetic rubbers, for example EPDM rubber or silicone rubber. A particularly preferred sealing material is polymer foam (open cells or closed cells), especially silicone foam (for example, silicone rubber foam). In an additional or alternative way, the seal members can be formed of a gel sealant material. The or each stamp member, for example, may comprise gel and other material, for example, an elastomer. For example, the gel may comprise silicone gel, urea gel, urethane gel, thermoplastic gel, or any suitable gel or geloid sealant material. The gels are normally substantially incompressible; when they are placed under a compressive force (eg, between the pressure members of the seal according to the invention) they normally flow and conform to their surroundings, and form a sealed contact with other surfaces. Preferred gels comprise polymers extended by oil. For example, the polymer may comprise an elastomer, or a block copolymer having relatively hard blocks and relatively elastomeric blocks. Examples of these copolymers include diblock or triblock copolymers of styrene-butadiene or styrene-isoprene, for example, as disclosed in International Patent Application Number WO 88/00603 (the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference) ). However, more preferably, the gel polymer may comprise one or more styrene-ethylene-propylene-styrene block copolymers. The extender oils used in the preferred gels, for example, may be hydrocarbon oils, for example paraffinic or naphthenic oils, or polypropylene oils, or mixtures thereof. The gel may also contain additives, for example moisture removers (such as benzoyl chloride), antioxidants, pigments, and / or fungicides. The sealing material or materials of the stamp members of preference have a Shore A hardness of not more than 40, for example in the scale of 5 to 40, especially 10 to 30, for example of 15. In an additional or alternative way , the sealing materials preferably have a compression setting not greater than 50 percent, more preferably not greater than 40 percent, and most preferably not greater than 35 percent, for example 25 percent. This compression setting is preferably as measured in accordance with ISO 815, ie, a compression stress of 50 percent at 70 ° C for 22 hours, measured after a recovery time of 30 minutes. The pressing members and (when present) the retaining members, preferably are formed of one or more plastic materials, for example, polypropylene, polyamide, polycarbonate, acrylobutadiene-styrene (ABS), or the like. In an additional or alternative way, they can be formed of one or more metals, for example, aluminum- or steel. The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows some of the main components of a type of seal according to the invention. Figure 2 shows a pressure member and a retention member of another type of seal according to the invention. Figure 3 shows two types of seal according to the invention, in the process of being installed in an opening. Figure 4 shows seal members, pressure members, and retaining members of a preferred type of seal according to the invention. Figure 5 is a series of four views showing the seal of Figure 4 installed in an opening,. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of another type of seal according to the invention. Figure 7 shows four views of one of the seal housing portions shown in Figure 6. Figure 1 (views a to d) shows some of the major components of a type of seal according to the invention. The Figure shows a cross section of an outer seal member 1, comprising an annular seal having a groove 3 at its outer lateral periphery (with respect to its axis). Figure Ib shows a cross section of an internal seal member 5, in the shape of a disk, and having an axial hole 7 therethrough, for an elongate connection member (not shown). Figure 1c shows cross-section and end views of a pressure member 9. The pressure member 9 is in the form of a disc-shaped plate, and has a plurality (24, as illustrated) of slots 11, each of which opens towards and extends from, the outer lateral periphery of the pressing member 9. The pressing member 9 also has an axial hole 10, through which, in use, a connecting member extends. elongated (not shown). As can be seen the cross-sectional view of Figure 1c, the closed end of each groove 11 is not I perpendicular to the plane of the pressing member 9, but is inclined with the perpendicular (by 11 °, as illustrated). This can help to seal around an elongated article (not shown), since it has the effect of directing the article radially inward towards the inner seal member 5. This effect is illustrated by the dashed lines of Figure Id. Figure Id illustrates an installed stamp assembled from the components shown in views a, b, and e, (with two pressure members 9), but with the elongated connection member that would extend through the holes of the pressure members 9, and the hole 7 of the internal seal member 5, not shown, for clarity. In the assembled and installed seal, the outer annular seal member 11 has been inserted into the periphery of an opening in a wall 13, such that the wall 13 around the periphery of the opening is located in the groove 3. inner seal member 5 is located laterally inside of annular external seal member 1, between the two pressing members 9.

In use, the two seal members 1, 5 would be compressed between the two pressure members 9, moving the two pressure members closer together, by means of a compression member of the axial connection member. Figure 2a shows a pressure member 9 which is similar to that shown in Figure 1, with the exception that this pressure member has a groove 15 at its outer lateral periphery. This groove 15 is for receiving a retaining member 17, as shown in Figure 2b. The pressing member 9, and the groove 15, are generally circular, and the retaining member 17 comprises a substantially circular grooved ring, having at least approximately the same internal radius as the radius of the bottom of the groove 15. The member 17 has a groove 19 having a width that is at least approximately equal to the width of the grooves 11 in the pressure member 9. In use, when locating the retaining member 17 in the groove 15 of the pressure member 9, one or more elongate articles can be inserted into a slot 11 of the pressing member, and are retained therein by the retaining member, by sliding (rotation) of the retaining member around the pressing member (in the groove) , until the slit 19 is aligned with the open end of the slot 11, the elongated article then passing sideways through the slit 19, and inserting it into the slot 11, and Then slide (rotate) the retention member, so that the slit 19 is no longer aligned with the slot 11. This operation can be repeated as many times as necessary (ie, depending on how many elongated articles need to be retained in the slots 11. Figures 3a and 3b illustrate, schematically, two slightly different types of seal according to the invention, the process of being installed in an opening of a wall 13 of an object. In both views, the outer annular seal member 1 is located at the periphery of the opening, and the two pressure members 9 are about to join with one another on either side of the opening. In Figure 3a, a single internal seal member 5 is pre-attached to the inwardly facing surface of one of the pressing members, while, in Figure 3b, there are two internal seal members 5, each of which which is attached to the inwardly facing surface of a respective pressure member 5, and which, when the pressure members are connected together, are joined inside the outer seal member 1. In Figure 3b, the connecting member, but in Figure 3a is shown as an elongate member 21 that is attached to, or integral with, one of the pressing members, and having an end portion 23 that can be interlocked with a part 25 located on the opposite side of the other pressure member. In both Figures 3a and 3b, the outer seal members 1 and the inner seal members 5 have cooperative beveled side peripheral edges 27. These cooperative bevelled edges assist the inner and outer seal members to be forced into a sealing contact one with the other. another, when the pressure members move closer together. Stamp members act like wedges in this way.

The inner lateral peripheral edge of seal member 1 shown in Figure 3a, is bevelled only from one side, to cooperate with the single internal seal member 5, while the inner lateral peripheral edge of the external seal member 1 shown in Figure 3b, is bevelled from both sides (opposite), to cooperate with the two internal seal members 5. In Figure 3b, an elongate article 29 extending through the opening is schematically illustrated. This elongated article, for example, can be a "rugose" optical fiber (i.e., an optical fiber carried in a rugged outer sleeve), such as a flexible conduit or a patch cord. It can be seen that the elongated article 29 extends between the inner seal members 5 and the outer seal member 1. When the seal members are compressed by placing the two pressure members 9 closer together, the internal seal members and external form a sealing contact with each other, and with the elongate article 29 extending between them. There are no holes between the seal members that need to be blocked by plugs or bolts, and so on. Figure 4 shows the two pressure members 9, with the retaining members 17 attached thereto, and the internal and external seal members 5 and 1, of a preferred seal according to the invention. The installation of this seal in an opening is illustrated in Figures 5a to 5d.

In Figure 5a, the outer seal member 1 has been inserted into the opening, and an elongate article 29 (a roughened optical fiber) extending through the opening, has been inserted into a slot 11 of one of the members. 9. The internal seal member 5 is carried on a compression element in the form of an axial elongated screw thread connection member 21. Figure 5b shows the elongate article 29 located in a slot 11 of the other member pressure 9, on the opposite side of the opening. In Figure 5c, the two pressure members are about to be connected to each other, to compress the seal members between them. Figure 5d shows the seal installed in the opening, with 24 elongated articles 29 extending through the opening and seal. The seal members illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 are formed of silicone foam. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of another type of seal according to the invention. In this seal, the compression element comprises two housing parts: a main tubular part 31, and a tubular end part 33. The main tubular part 31 can be placed in an opening to be sealed. Preferably, one end 35 of the main tubular part 31 is secured in the opening, such that the remainder of the main tubular part extends from the opening. The tubular end part 33 can be moved, and can be secured, with respect to the main tubular part 31, by means of bayonet connections 37. The securing of the tubular end part 33 to the main tubular part 31 makes the two disc-shaped pressure members 9 move closer together, thereby making seal members 1, 5 compressed. Figure 7 shows four views of the tubular end portion 33 of the seal shown in the Figure 6. The end part is articulated at 39, such that it can be opened outwards (therefore, it is "wrapped around"). The end part can be closed by means of the interlocking parts 41 and 43.

Claims (26)

1. CLAIMS 1. A seal for sealing an opening in an object, through which opening one or more elongate articles extend, which comprises: (a) at least two pressing members; (b) at least two seal members to seal the opening, at least part of at least one of which is located, in use-, between at least two of the pressing members; and (c) a compression element for compressing the seal members in use, moving the pressure members closer together; whereby, the seal is configured in such a way that, in use, the or each elongate article extends between at least two of the seal members, the seal members being located one adjacent to the other in a lateral direction with respect to the direction in which the elongate articles extend, and being configured to form a sealing contact with each other, and with the or each elongated article, when compressed by the compression element. A seal according to claim 1 wherein the seal members comprise: (i) at least one outer seal member that, in use, is located at the periphery of the opening, to form a sealing contact with the seal object; and (ii) at least one internal seal member that, in use, sits laterally inside the outer seal member. A seal according to claim 2, wherein the or each outer seal member is, or the external seal members in combination are in the form of a substantially circular or oval ring. A seal according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the or each internal seal member has, or the internal seal members in combination have a substantially circular or oval side periphery. A seal according to claim 4, when dependent on claim 3, wherein the internal diameter of the outer seal members is at least as large as, and not greater than, 5 millimeters greater than, the outer diameter of the internal seal members, when the seal members are in a relaxed state without deforming. A seal according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the or each outer seal member has at least one groove in its outer lateral periphery, to locate the outer seal member in the opening. 7. A seal according to any of the preceding claims, wherein there are at least two internal seal members, each of which is joined to a respective pressure member. A seal according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one pressure member has one or more openings therein, through which, in use, the elongate articles extend. A seal according to claim 8, wherein the one or more openings comprise one or more slots in which, in use, the elongate articles can be inserted, whereby, the or each slot opens towards, and extends from, the outer lateral periphery of the pressing member. A seal according to claim 9, wherein at least one pressing member further comprises a retaining member that can be attached to the outer lateral periphery of the pressing member to close the slots, and thereby retain one or more elongated items inserted in the slots. A seal for sealing an opening in an object, through which opening one or more elongated articles extend, which comprises: (a) at least two pressure members, at least one of which contains one or more slots in which, in use, the elongated articles can be inserted, the opening or each slot opening, and extending from, the outer lateral periphery of the pressing member; (b) at least one seal member to seal the opening, at least part of which is located, in use, between at least two of the pressure members; (c) a compression element for compressing the seal members in use, moving the pressure members closer together; and (d) at least one retention member, which can be attached to the outer lateral periphery of the pressure member containing one or more slots, to close the slots and thereby retain the one or more elongate articles inserted in the recesses. grooves A seal according to claim 10 or claim 11, wherein each pressure member has a substantially circular external lateral periphery, and each retaining member has a substantially circular internal lateral periphery. A seal according to claim 12, wherein each retaining member can be slidably joined to its respective pressure member, such that it can slide around at least part of its outer lateral periphery. A seal according to claim 13, wherein each retention member includes a slit, through which, in use, - at least one elongated article can be passed, in order to insert the elongate article into the slot of the pressing member with which the retaining member is attached, the retaining member being slidable with respect to the pressing member, such that the slit can be placed adjacent to each of a plurality of slots at a time , to thereby allow a plurality of inserts at a time. 15. A seal according to any of claims 12 to 14, wherein each retention member has a substantially annular shape. A seal according to any of claims 10 to 15, wherein each retaining member can be attached to its respective pressure member, by locating it in at least one groove in, and / or on, at least one protrusion in the outer lateral periphery of the pressure member. A seal according to any of claims 10 to 16, wherein, in use, each retention member contributes to the compression of at least one of the seal members, preferably at least one external seal member, acting as a lateral extension of the pressing member with which the retaining member is attached. 18. A seal according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the compression member comprises at least one connecting member extending between, and interconnecting, the pressure members. 19. A seal according to claim 18, wherein the compression element comprises a single axially central connection member. A seal according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the compression element comprises at least two housing parts which, in use, at least partially surround the seal, and which can be moved and secured one with with respect to the other, - in such a way that the pressure members move closer together, and in this way the seal members are compressed. A seal according to claim 20, wherein the housing parts can be moved and secured with respect to each other, by screw threads mutually engaging, or by a bayonet fit, on the housing parts . 22. A closed container for containing one or more splices or connections of optical fibers or electrical conductors, including the container, in a wall thereof, at least one seal according to any of the preceding claims. 23. A method for sealing an opening in an object, through which opening one or more elongate articles extend, by means of a seal according to any of claims 9 to 17, which comprises: (a) inserting the or each elongate article in a respective slot of at least one, preferably in each, pressure member; (b) Insert the seal members in the opening; and (c) compressing the seal members between the pressing members by moving the pressing members closer together by means of the compression element. 24. A method according to claim 23, by means of a seal according to any of claims 10 to 17, wherein, step (a) further includes retaining the or each elongate article in its respective slot of the pressure members by means of the retaining member attached to the outer lateral periphery of the or each pressure member. 25. A method according to claim 24, by means of a seal according to claim 14, wherein, step (a) comprises placing the slit of the retaining member adjacent to the slot, passing the or each article elongate through the slit, and insert it into the slot, and slide the retention member with respect to the pressing member, in order to move the slit away from the slot. 26. A method according to claim 25, wherein a plurality of elongate articles are inserted, and are retained in each pressure member, the method further comprising repeating step (a) for each elongate article at a time.