Patent ID: 8360767

Claim:
A device for avoiding the uncontrolled discharge of melt from nozzle apertures of a nozzle plate, wherein the device comprises: a. a locking member that is movable in front of the nozzle plate, wherein the locking member is formed as an extrudate collection member, wherein the locking member is reciprocable between a production position and a collection position, and wherein melt is discharged from the nozzle apertures of the nozzle plate in the form of extrudates into a process chamber when the locking member is in the production position and into extrudate collection member when the locking member is in the collection position; and b. a melt extraction aperture disposed on the extrudate collection member, wherein the melt extraction aperture is configured to align with the nozzle apertures in the nozzle plate and a melt extraction channel.