Patent ID: 7165965
Filing Date: 2007-01-23
Classification: B29C

Abstract:
1. A nozzle for an injection molding apparatus, comprising: a nozzle body including a first threaded portion on an outside surface, said nozzle body defining a nozzle body melt passage, wherein said nozzle body melt passage is adapted to be in fluid communication with an upstream melt source; a heater, wherein said heater is thermally connected to said nozzle body for heating melt in said nozzle body melt passage; a tip removably connected to said nozzle body, wherein said tip defines a tip melt passage therethrough, wherein said tip melt passage is downstream from and in fluid communication with said nozzle body melt passage, and is adapted to be upstream from and in fluid communication with a mold cavity in a mold component; a tip surrounding piece having a second threaded portion on an inside surface, such that the tip surrounding piece is removably connected with respect to said nozzle body through mating of the first and second threaded portions; and a seal piece positioned between said tip and said tip surrounding piece, wherein said seal piece forms a seal with the tip and with the tip surrounding piece to inhibit melt leakage between the seal piece and the tip and between the seal piece and the tip surrounding piece, so that, in use, at least a portion of said tip and at least a portion of said tip surrounding piece are separated by an air gap.