Patent ID: 7040378

Claim:
A hot runner injection molding apparatus comprising: (a) a melt conveying system, said system having, (i) a melt distribution manifold having at least one melt passage for transferring melt from a source of pressurized melt, and, (ii) at least one injection nozzle having a melt bore therethrough, said melt bore in fluid communication with said at least one manifold melt passage; (b) at least one mold cavity adjacent said at least one nozzle, said mold cavity in fluid communication with said melt bore of said at least one nozzle; and (c) a manifold heater, wherein said manifold heater includes a planar film heating element coupled to a manifold heater plate, wherein said manifold heater plate is connected to an exterior surface of said melt distribution manifold to provide heat to melt in said at least one melt passage.