Patent ID: 7291007

Claim:
An injection molding machine comprising: a first mold portion; a second mold portion movable relative to said first mold portion, said first mold portion and said second mold portion together defining a mold cavity; a fluid path extending through said first mold portion for receiving molding material, said fluid path having an inlet and a radially continuous, downwardly-extending, circumferential outlet, said circumferential outlet being in fluid communication with said mold cavity; a valve ring movably coupled in said first mold portion, said valve ring having a downwardly extending rim portion substantially disposed within said fluid path, said valve ring positionable in a closed position where said rim portion engages said circumferential outlet to obstruct flow of the molding material from said fluid path to said mold cavity and an opened position where said rim portion is spaced apart from said circumferential outlet to permit flow of the molding material from said fluid path to said mold cavity; and a heating assembly in thermal communication with at least a portion of said fluid path, said heating assembly maintaining the molding material in an uncured state for thermoset rubbers and plastics, and in a molten state for thermoplastics.