Patent ID: 8252220

Claim:
A molding apparatus, comprising: a gate member; a nozzle of a melt distribution apparatus; a pocket is defined in the gate member for slidably receiving a forward portion of the nozzle; a nozzle melt reservoir is defined, in use, in a space that is between the pocket and the forward portion of the nozzle; the gate member further configured to define a gate for connecting, in use, the nozzle melt reservoir with a molding cavity that is defined, in part, by a first molding surface on the gate member; a positioner that is configured to regulate, in use, a relative position between the gate member and the nozzle between a retracted position and an extended position for adjusting a volume of the nozzle melt reservoir between a reduced volume and an expanded volume, respectively; a gate interface is defined on the nozzle; a nozzle interface is defined on a portion of the pocket; the nozzle interface and the gate interface are configured to cooperate in providing, in use, a slidable sealing junction for substantially preventing a leakage of a molding material therebetween with relative movement thereof.