Patent ID: 7287977

Claim:
A manifold system for an injection molding system, the manifold system comprising: a main manifold ( 56 ) having a plurality of arms ( 64 ) and a main melt channel ( 62 ) therein branching to each arm ( 64 ), with an outlet ( 63 ) at each arm ( 64 ); at least one sub-manifold ( 52 ) spaced from the main manifold ( 56 ), each sub-manifold ( 52 ) having an inlet ( 65 ) and a plurality of secondary melt channels ( 104 ) in communication with the inlet ( 65 ); a plurality of melt transfer bushings ( 68 ), each melt transfer bushing ( 68 ) disposed between one sub-manifold ( 52 ) and one arm ( 64 ) of the main manifold ( 56 ), each melt transfer bushing ( 68 ) providing communication between the inlet ( 65 ) of said one sub-manifold ( 52 ) and the outlet ( 63 ) of said one arm ( 64 ); a backing plate ( 58 ); a manifold plate ( 54 ) spaced form the backing plate ( 58 ); an air plate ( 70 ) disposed between the backing plate ( 58 ) and the manifold plate ( 54 ) and disposed between the main manifold ( 56 ) and the at least one sub-manifold, the air plate ( 70 ) having a plurality of actuator cavities ( 72 ) for receiving actuators ( 90 ), the air plate ( 70 ) having s a plurality of air channels ( 74 ) communicating with the actuator cavities ( 72 ) for conducting fluid, in use, to actuators ( 90 ).