Patent ID: 7694714

Claim:
A metal molding system ( 403 A), comprising: a mold cavity ( 412 ); a metal hot runner assembly ( 401 ) for supplying molten metal to the mold cavity ( 412 ); and a metal injection unit ( 403 B) connected to the metal hot runner assembly ( 401 ) via a nozzle ( 403 C) for supplying molten metal to the metal hot runner assembly ( 401 ); wherein the metal hot runner assembly ( 401 ) comprises: a metal molding conduit assembly ( 400 ) with a conduit passageway ( 402 ), wherein the conduit passageway ( 402 ) is defined by a conduit body member ( 408 ) that forms a central passageway configured to receive molten metal from the metal injection unit ( 403 B) and a plurality of drops ( 410 A, 410 B) leading to the mold cavity ( 412 ); means ( 418 A) for forming a metal plug ( 406 ) in the central passageway configured to receive molten metal from the metal injection unit ( 403 B); and a plug catcher ( 430 ) disposed at an end of the central passageway and configured to catch the metal plug ( 406 ) so that the metal plug ( 406 ) does not disrupt flow of molten metal into the plurality of drops ( 410 A, 410 B) leading to the mold cavity ( 412 ).